Earthquake-resistant construction
Earthquakes are a reality in Paddepoel, Groningen. Anyone who wants to build high there has to think not only in terms of design, but also in terms of weight. That is why our Dinkelsteen® was chosen for the Polaris apartment complex. This slim facing brick, 70 mm thick, is more than 30% lighter than the traditional Waal format.
Starts with the façade
In earthquake-prone areas, it is not just a matter of having a solid foundation: the entire building system must be able to move with the earthquake and absorb the shocks. A lower dead weight of the façade helps to achieve this. The lighter the outer layer, the less mass will ‘shake’ during an earthquake, and the smaller the forces exerted on the structure.
‘When designing the 70-metre-high residential tower, strict earthquake resistance requirements had to be met,’ explains Jakob van Ringen, architect at van Ringen Architecten. One of these was that the weight of the outer layer had to be drastically reduced. This significantly limited the options. A traditional Waal format facing brick was immediately ruled out: too heavy.
This is how Dinkelsteen® came into the picture: our narrow facing brick, only 70 mm thick and more than 30% lighter than the traditional Waal format. This allowed the building to comply with weight restrictions without compromising on appearance.
The choice of Dinkelsteen® was not only technically smart, but also aesthetically appealing. Thanks to the production process using our extruder, Dinkelsteen® is available in any desired colour, texture and finish. ‘We were looking for a nuanced, light facing brick that would give the residential tower a refined and contemporary look. Working closely together, we put together a unique mix of three Dinkelsteen® types, ready-mixed in the factory,’ Jakob van Ringen continues.
The relationship between HJK Architects and Strating is one of mutual trust. ‘We work together frequently and know what we can expect from each other. That is particularly valuable in a project where there is minimal room for deviation', Jakob concludes.
A look of its own
Curious about the many possibilities of our bricks for your project? Within the framework of your wishes, requirements and budget, we will show you. And experience.
