We received a warm welcome with coffee and cake from Mr Kalle Kaldenbach of Heijmans Horizon. And after the presentation, we were able to follow the work on the factory steps.

See also: https://www.heijmans.nl/nl/nieuws/eerste-houtskeletbouwwoningen-geplaatst-in-borg-buiten/

Brief summary of the presentation:

With this factory, Heijmans wants to meet the increasing demand for sustainable and rapidly build homes. In principle, a house can arrive on site with three trucks.

It is a form of industrial construction. All installations (gas-free air heating by heat pump with cooling and heat and no outdoor unit) and wtw ventilation are in the basic modules. These also form the stable cores. Around these come the timber frame walls, which have a standard height but can vary in length. The facade layout can also be varied.

The construction consists of LVL sections (beams of laminated wood of thin layers). The floor is light only with the floor boards on the walls. It is not based on demountable construction. Much is glued and screwed.

The factory is full until 2026 with 250 homes this year and 350 next year. The price would be market-based

I do not pretend to have been very complete with this summary. But for those interested, there may be an opportunity to visit the factory in the autumn.

KIVI and Heijmans Horizon is thanked by those present for organising.

Solving the housing shortage demands speed. Heijmans is picking up the gauntlet. Susanne van der Velden and Cyrille Pennavaire of Heijmans see a future in industrialisation and digitalisation of housing construction. "And they do so more sustainably with timber-frame construction," they say

Since 1 July 2022, Heijmans has owned an energy-neutral factory of timber frame building components in Heerenveen. The acquisition of the former IIBO factory fits in with Heijmans' efforts to make its operations more sustainable and to implement new, smart manufacturing technology faster. For knowledge and expertise on the latter, Heijmans also partnered with the also Frisian experienced timber frame builder VDM.

Digitalisation is the foundation of the plans. Digital building serves both Heijmans and the customer. The advantage for the builder? Cyrille: "In the past, you went out and drew every project. By digitising, we have much more knowledge and real-time insight in advance to organise the construction project more efficiently and effectively.

Susanne sums it up in one sentence: the industrialisation of standardised timber frame construction means a tilt from engineering to configuration. From 2023, for example, using Heijmans' 3D Residential Configurator, customers will be able to put together their own timber-frame house. At home on the computer or tablet, at leisure. "

KIVI Construction Section is organising an excursion to this factory on Tuesday 2 July from 14:00 to 16:00. If you are interested in attending this excursion, please sign up soon!

The programme is as follows:

13:45 - 14:00
Walk-in

14:00 - 16:00
Welcome & Explanation Heijmans Horizon
Explanation materials & factory
Dialogue future & conclusion

16:00
Joint return to car park/reception

Register: Via the KIVI website (mandatory)

Participation is free for KIVI members and students and costs €25 for others.

Safety: In the factory, safety shoes and a helmet are not compulsory. However, you are requested to stay on the designated paths and galleries.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 2 July!