"What is happening here is exceptional," says André de Geus. As project manager on behalf of contractor De Vries en Verburg, he is the link between all builders and future occupant dsm-firmenich. "In the time in which we normally deliver an office building, we are now implementing an office and laboratory building. A building that also meets extremely high sustainability standards. This is only possible thanks to a tight schedule, the right people, and excellent communication between all parties."
'Sunlight,' as the building is currently called, is on schedule: The structural work will be finished before the summer vacations, followed by the finishing work, and the building will be completed by the end of March 2025. In addition to offices, there will be application rooms and laboratories. "Everything is being done to the highest standards," says De Geus. "There will be a magnificent atrium and the level of finishing work is very high. The building also meets the most exacting sustainability standards. It will be the first laboratory building in Europe to receive the BREEAM Outstanding label. This will be a wonderful place to work."
Safety first
Construction is tightly organized. Each morning begins with a briefing and division of labor, at which all supervisors, of different nationalities, are present. "Building is communicating," says De Geus. "So you do that continuously." Safety is a fixed part of the daily briefing. "The campus safety rules also apply on the construction site: how high you can work, what protective equipment you wear, what do you have to watch out for... Two safety experts oversee this every day," says De Geus. Precise work plans describe the day's tasks. "That way you know exactly what you need to do and don't get in each other's way." It is also important that the construction site, right down to the set-up of the site huts, is well-organized. "This not only prevents dust and regulates rainwater runoff, but it also ensures that the tradesmen enter the construction site with the right attitude."
The project is registered with Bewuste Bouwers. This commits the builder to a code of conduct that leads to environmentally conscious, safe, and sustainable practices.
Communication with local residents
A lot of attention is also paid to limiting inconvenience to local residents, and Bewuste Bouwers tests this with audits and mystery visits. Effective communication is also important. Any expected inconvenience is announced on the website www.biotechcampusdelft.com/en/local-residents/news. Project Director Harry Spuyman and the contractor are also in regular contact with local residents. "If there is any nuisance due to improperly adjusted construction lights, for example, the contractor takes care of it immediately," says Spuyman. And people can always contact the free Biotech Campus Delft complaints phone number 0800 0231341.
Feel at home
There is a hive of activity at the moment, both in terms of construction and preparation for the move. Many loose ends will be tied up soon regarding the final layout and use. But when the new building is occupied by July 1, 2025, Spuyman anticipates that people will soon feel at home. "They will go from old to very much new!"
Photo: New headquarters and application labs for Taste, Texture & Health under construction