JNSNL 04 ENG

The most flexible magazine ever!

Quality as the common denominator Snel tells

Border-crossing cooperation Snel tells

mo路du路lar Customisation is the pinnacle of quality

JNSNL - No. 4, May 2012

8 713818 000361 >

Snelle contents

CONTENTS Found in this issue...

Snel in pictures

18 Rivierduinen, Oegstgeest 20 Stedin 22 Zorggroep Ter Weel, Goes 24 Damen Shipyards, Gorinchem 26 BSO Hulsberg, Nuth 28 NS Poort, Den Haag 30 Fletcher A2 Tower Hotel, Amsterdam 32 Rabobank, Apeldoorn

Snel dictionary

mo·du·lar

co·ope· ra·tion

am·bi·tion

05 Modular 17 Cooperation 37 Ambition

Snel miscellaneous

06 10 12 14 16 34 36 38 40 42 44 48

02

magazine

Snel Flexibles Successful internship Snel boy: Hans Cooperation: Inter Steba & Partners The latest developments Semi-permanent hospital in Ghent Reading tip: LEGOlisering van de bouw Modular operation rooms Drawn by Movix Blu Beach: storm, sand and waterproof Jan Snel and OTTO Workforce Snel discovery

Brick by brick

we build up the reputation of flexible building...

Here you go; another new edition of our magazine, chock full of interesting articles, interviews and appealing projects. We are very happy to show you just what we are capable of at Jan Snel. Or, rather, what flexible building is capable of. Flexible building is the smart alternative to traditional building with stone and concrete. We will continue to spread this message until everyone is convinced.

We also get more and more help spreading that message; for instance, from Hennes de Ridder, professor of civil engineering at Delft University of Technology. In his book ‘LEGOlisering van de bouw’ (Making construction more like building with Lego), he argues in favour of radical standardisation and flexibility in building. The book is a bestseller, and you must understand that we are very happy about that! In everything we see signs that the time is ripe for the large-scale breakthrough and acceptance of flexible building in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Just like with LEGO, this happens brick by brick, but that just makes the final result more impressive...

In any case, at Provada 2012 we will do our very best to demonstrate the benefits of flexible building to visitors. Never before have we made such an effort for the real estate trade fair; this will be one of the biggest events of the year for Jan Snel. You will visit our stand, right?

In the meantime, summer has almost arrived again and we are continuing to build hard to deliver new projects on time. That is another benefit of Jan Snel: we are also flexible with our vacation schedule!

Happy reading! Until next time, Harry van Zandwijk

The most flexible magazine ever!

Quality as the common denominator Snel tells

On the cover:

Border-crossing cooperation Snel tells

mo·du·lar Customisation is the pinnacle of quality

JNSNL - No. 4, May 2012

8 713818 7 000361 >

Sports hall in Zwolle

magazine

03

Snel in numbers

3 BILLION VIDEOS ARE WATCHED ON YOUTUBE EVERY DAY

searches for ‘prefab building’ count almost 1,000 per month ‘Blu Beach Strandpaviljoen’ (Blu Beach pavilion) was the project looked at the most frequently on our site in the last month (269 times)

Our brand awareness campaign has reached approximately 244,200 people via (among other things).

Jansnel.com is frequently visited by people from 8 other countries WORLDWIDE, 240 MILLION TWEETS ARE SENT EVERY DAY

The ‘Projects’ page is the most visited page on our website (2,910 times in the last month)

04

magazine

mo¡du¡lar Customisation is so 1980 In marketing terms, 'customisation’ is the pinnacle of quality. After all, something is made to order especially for the client. But in terms of building, customisation is chiefly very inefficient.

What is the logic behind building each building on location, from scratch, each one different?

It is incredibly expensive and the chance of mistakes is enormous (last year the costs of failure in the construction sector amounted to 10.8% of the turnover!). Modular solutions are the way of the future: standard products at a competitive price. In the world of real estate, people are starting to realise something we have known at Jan Snel for a long time: the future belongs to flexible building.

Flexibles At Jan Snel we like flexibility in all shapes and sizes. There are innumerable innovative products that are at least as flexible as our designs.

Here we present some of the flexible gadgets we have spotted for you to see.

Snelle flexibles

Flexibles Rubik’s cube This classic puzzle looks far from flexible at first glance. But this solid block demands the utmost in flexible thinking. How do you get all the colours in a row? Certainly not by turning the sides randomly. You solve the Rubik’s cube with your head, not your hands.

magazine

07

Snelle flexibles

Flexibles Survival Straps Survival Straps look like cool bracelets, but they are so much more! The bracelet contains more than 2 metres of unbreakable parachute rope, made to the specifications of the American army. That certainly comes in handy in an emergency! If you cannot think of any situations where you would actually use the Survival Straps, read some of the stories on survivalstraps.com.

08

magazine

Snelle flexibles

Flexibles Inspiration Chair The Inspiration Chair is a design by Lapo Germasi, a 24-year-old industrial design student. The chair takes on any shape you desire. In fact, it only really becomes a chair when the user makes it into one.

We can think of some great uses for it during the coming European Football Championship, or is that just because of its Dutch orange colour?

magazine

09

Snel Transport

Successful

internship Guy de Leeuw

Roan de Wit

Age 20 years

Age 20 years

Lorry driver

Lorry mechanic in training

Rock Storm

Randy Hendrikx

Age 22 years

Age 27 years

Lorry driver

Lorry driver

Jacky Pijcke

10

magazine

Sander den Boon

Age 25 years

Age 21 years

Lorry driver

Lorry driver

Snel Transport

Building-related transport?

Jan Snel Transport!

Jan Snel Transport is known for transporting recyclable materials and non-ferrous metals. As we should be; we have specialised in this area.

What is not as well-known is the fact that we are also fully equipped to transport building-related materials.

the assignment for Cirque du Soleil,

of satisfaction when one of these

We provide all of the transport for

the ground. And we are ready to

up-and-coming drivers or mechanics

Jan Snel Flexibel Bouwen, but we

transport building-related goods for

is successful at our company. The next

also do that for external clients. For

contractors or any other client.

student will complete the programme

instance, we look back fondly on

FEEL FREE TO CHALLENGE US!

in which we transported all of their accommodations to various locations throughout Europe. Together with the colourful company of artists, we travelled from Madrid to Barcelona to Switzerland... Those were dream drives, of course, but since then we have gotten our feet back firmly on

It is important to continue to invest in young talent today. That is the only way that these talents can grow into the employees we will urgently need tomorrow. This vision led us to work with VTL and Innovam to set up an internship programme for lorry drivers and mechanics.

Students work four days a week at Jan Snel Transport and go to school one day a week. This has already enabled us to recruit six new young men to Jan Snel Transport. Of course, we are very proud of this; it gives a real sense

in June. We will certainly continue with this initiative.

magazine

11

Snel boy

Snel boy In each magazine, a Snel boy tells his story

12

magazine

Hans van der Neut Civil status Common law, one son (20) Position Head of Commerce Started at Jan Snel in 2005 Education HBO (higher vocational education) logistics management Hobbies Football, golf, tennis

Snel boy

This is Hans

The client always gets priority After secondary school came national service. I enjoyed that, so I signed on to become a regular soldier. I ended up in logistics and instructor positions, so, among other things, I was in charge of air and road transports in Cambodia, Thailand and Bosnia. I always emphasise that I had a great time, because you so often hear that working in a war zone is traumatic or unpleasant. I certainly did not feel that way. Of course you witness things that are not nice, but it was an especially good opportunity to learn a lot. Moreover, it gave me a feeling of

Ultimately, I was approached by a

commitment, the fact that you are not a

satisfaction; you are in those countries to

training company, where I happily

number and that you are fairly evaluated

help people to improve their chance of a

gave communications and commercial

on the results you achieve. This makes

better life. I am happy to help with that.

training. It was an educational time, but

everyone in the company, high or low on

after two years I started to get restless; I

the ladder, feel involved and motivated.

wanted more.

There is a pleasant feeling of solidarity

After my time in the military, I studied logistics management, aiming to hire

here. From our branch in Terneuzen I

myself out as a logistic operations

moved to the head office in Montfoort

specialist in crisis zones. This ambition brought me back to Cambodia and to Indonesia, where one of my assignments was to monitor the ‘free & fair’ progress of the free elections. In those days I was away from home a lot. And there came a time that I wanted a more permanent

“ I missed the

freedom of pioneering”

base.

and ultimately landed in my current position. In my region, I am particularly occupied with the government, education, offices and care sectors. The big advantage of my position at Jan Snel is that I have the freedom to do things in my own way. I do not consider myself to be a commercial man in the wily sense of the word. You advise and guide, try

In 2000 I stopped working abroad. That

In 2005 I made the move to Jan Snel in

to relieve the clients’ worries, guide

is when my search for a suitable job in

Terneuzen, now Hulst, and started work

them from start to finish until they have

the Netherlands began. It turned out not

as an account manager; a commercial

the key in their hand to open their new

to be easy; the world of logistics in our

position in a dynamic world where I feel

accommodation. It gives me a really good

country is one of rules and regulations.

like a fish in water. It is a family company

feeling to be a part of that. My motto is

I missed the freedom of pioneering.

and you can see that in everything. In the

that ‘the client always gets priority’.

magazine

13

Snel tells

Trust

at the foundation of joint suc particular, the implementation of facility

rose from the ground, complete with

management, in the broadest sense of

finishing touches and air conditioning. The

the word. We take responsibility for

latter in particular was still uncommon in

our clients’ technical management,

temporary buildings at the time. It turned

maintenance and long-term maintenance

out afterwards that it was a real problem

plans. We mediate in the area of business

to accommodate the employees; everyone

accommodation and handle some of

wanted to work in that beautiful new

the project development.’ Huibert has

building. We sometimes reminisce about

attracted a number of partners around

it, Harry van Zandwijk and I. For us, it was

him over the years. ‘For each assignment,

the start of a beautiful partnership.’

we look at which people we can put

Cooperation purely based on trust. Is that not the same as a trapeze without a safety net?

Quite the opposite. At least, if you look at the partnership between Inter Steba & Partners and Jan Snel. The two parties have been working successfully together since 1993, with trust as the basic principle. Huibert Baauw, advisor at Inter Steba, explains.

together in order to respond to our client’s

Big and small

request as well as possible,’ he says. Since

Throughout the years many more projects

1993 he has worked with Jan Snel in the

were tackled and completed together.

area of temporary accommodation.

Huibert comments enthusiastically: ‘For me, they are through-and-through

First assignment

entrepreneurs, the whole team at Jan

‘We now know each other well, and

Snel. The commitment to an assignment

we both know what we have in the

is huge and they keep all their promises.

other. Our first assignment together

At Jan Snel, everything revolves around

was for temporary accommodation for

the 5 Ds (in Dutch): daring, drive, clarity,

a large insurance agency. They needed

decisiveness and determination. They

accommodation for the people from

are capable of thinking from the outside

their head office. Jan Snel signed on

in, completely from the client’s needs.

for the implementation. The project

Through our shared trust, we gain the

manager called me up when the building

daring to take on each project together

elements from Jan Snel were delivered,

and bring it to a successful conclusion.

wondering if it would all work out; it was

What I also really value in Jan Snel is that

‘Trust, respect, expertise and cooperation

an enormous jigsaw to put together! The

they are not only good at handling large

are the basic principles of Inter Steba,’

job was done excellently, of course; in

orders; they also do their best for small

says Huibert. ‘Our company targets, in

a short time the temporary head office

businesses and understand their needs.

14

magazine

Snel tells

ccess “ To me, they’re

through-andthrough entrepreneurs, the whole team at Jan Snel”

We are working together on building a large number of kiosks at train stations.

But when a baker needed a temporary shop to allow him to renovate his own shop, the job was approached just as enthusiastically.’

No contract Contact with Jan Snel is another thing Huibert is happy with. ‘For every assignment, Harry and I just look at each other and shake hands. Then we know everything’s fine; there is trust on both sides.

We don’t need contracts for that. We have each other’s word and commitment and that’s been more than enough for almost 20 years.’

magazine

15

Snel developments

the latest

DEVELOPMENTS Challenges in construction, appearance and sustainability

Student residences at Delft

Shared outdoor area

University of Technology

In addition to affordability, student accommodation demands meeting places.

By removing a number of residences at strategic locations, a covered foyer is created at the head of the building as well as a centrally located covered outdoor area.

Flexible concept Because the residences are individually well insulated, we are free to determine where to remove the various The strong growth in the number of

residences. As a result, we

students at Delft University of Technology

have a living, unexpected

is causing enormous pressure on the

cross-section. This concept

student accommodations. In the coming

is very flexible and can be

years, more than 1,100 student residences

applied in several ways. The

will be added. The partnership of Jan

final shape and interpre-

Snel BV and HVDN + Studioninedots will

tation will be decided in

complete 138 student units on Balthasar

consultation with the clients.

van der Polweg Noord.

Affordable and attractive A student residence must be affordable, so it must be built in a cost-efficient way.

That means opting for a very clear design,

Short construction period

the simplest possible shell and prefabrica-

From the moment that we step onto the building site, we will have 18 weeks to

tion: Jan Snel’s particular expertise. Then

complete this project. That is improbably fast for a project of this size. Of course,

there is space left over to create luxuriance

there is a production period in our factory in advance of this, but from the first day

where the user can really feel it.

on the site, the residences will be completed, ready for use, 18 weeks later.

16

magazine

co路op路er路a路tion Complementing each other with your own specialisation In the current market, you can only be successful together. At Jan Snel, we emphatically look for connection with partners, each of whom works from their own strengths and expertise.

Cooperation enables the greatest new developments. For example, together with partners H2M (unique, light-weight offshore units) and DMS, we started flexibly employable ORs. These are already a big hit.

Multipurpose building for colourful residents

Snel in pictures

Rivierduinen, Oegstgeest Rivierduinen provides daily care to people with psychological or psychiatric problems.

In Oegstgeest, Jan Snel built a temporary assisted living centre for Rivierduinen with ten residential units, a common area and office facilities. The building will remain in use for at least 3.5 years and was placed and delivered in just 15 days. The finish is very high quality and the energy consumption sustainable, thanks to a Climaflex system for both heating and cooling, which makes gas unnecessary and electricity consumption especially low.

18

magazine

At least as flexible inside as outside

Snel in pictures

Stedin Stedin is Eneco’s network company, which controls the electricity grid of provinces Zuid-Holland and Utrecht from a special operational area (BVC). This operational area was built in just 12 weeks by Jan Snel. The building, which is in constant use, is fitted with a balanced installation that includes waste heat recovery. The climate control system ensures a constant temperature of exactly 21 degrees Celsius.

The lighting changes colour throughout the day, making it more comfortable for those working throughout the evening and night. As soon as a calamity relating to the electricity supply occurs somewhere in the provinces, the BVC goes into action, searching at break-neck speeds for alternative routes to recover the supply.

magazine

21

Flexible solution for small-scale care

Snel in pictures

Zorggroep Ter Weel, Goes Zorggroep Ter Weel wants to offer care on a smaller scale and expand the service and hospitality. To this end, it needs its care centres adapted, among other things.

Through all of these renovations and construction, Jan Snel is supporting the care group with the placement of two temporary buildings, enabling the new care vision to be implemented immediately. There is accommodation for 16 clients in each building. They can live comfortably here for the next three years.

22

magazine

Four storeys in a week

Snel in pictures

Damen Shipyards, Gorinchem Placing a four-storey building in one week?

It is possible with the Jan Snel flexunits.

For Damen Shipyards, we built an office building with about 180 workstations.

The flexible building will remain in place for one year and covers 1,296 m2. In total, this flexible office space is made up of 72 units, 47 of which we put in place on just a single Saturday (including 5 stairwells)! Flexibility at its best!

magazine

25

Flexible also means daring to cross a sloping surface

Snel in pictures

BSO Hulsberg, Nuth For the municipality of Nuth, we developed a temporary elementary school comprising 14 classrooms and 5 lavatories. Creative thinking was required for this two-storey temporary building, which covers 1,485 m2, because it had to be built on a slope.

We set up the flexible school in 5 weeks, enabling the students and teachers to use it for the following 9 months.

26

magazine

Quickly delivered on the night shift

Snel in pictures

NS Poort, The Hague A project for evening and night people: the placement of this temporary shopping centre took place between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. This kept the inconvenience for travellers to a minimum. The very limited height underneath the tram platform where the shopping centre was to be placed caused the expected headaches. Still, in just three weeks, we created 700 m2 of shop space, now home to such shops as Leonidas, Free Record Shop, AH to Go, Starbucks and Kiosk. We also installed a complete fire alarm system with sprinkler.

The flexible building will remain in place for at least three years.

magazine

29

A shining example in composites

Snel in pictures

Fletcher A2 Tower Hotel, Amsterdam In Amsterdam, a very striking hotel is rising from the ground: a round tower hotel for Fletcher hotel group. The composite faรงade was, of course, produced by our subsidiary, Holland Composites Industrials. HCI delivered a showpiece in Amsterdam with the faรงade of the new Stedelijk Museum. This new project is a 60-metre-high hotel, with a completely round glass faรงade and an area of 22,000 m2. The windows of the hotel rooms and the faรงade lighting, completely light up the building at night, so that the hotel remains recognisable for miles around after sunset.

30

magazine

A fully fledged branch in a single month!

Snel in pictures

Rabobank, Apeldoorn ‘Build a bank in just over a month.’ That is what you call a challenge. At Jan Snel, though, we do not avoid such projects.

So up shoots a bank branch in Apeldoorn that meets all of Rabobank’s security requirements. It is equipped with a secured vault (anchored in concrete), safety glass and detection equipment and finished in Rabobank’s house colours. There is nothing standard about this project, so we are really proud to have delivered the entire building according to the scheduling. Oh, and could we put in a cash dispenser 100m down the street? Two weeks later, it was open for service!

magazine

33

Snel tells

Border-crossing

cooperation

Semi-permanent hospital in Ghent

The Jan Palfijn general hospital in Ghent needed a temporary expansion of its existing accommodation. Jan Snel joined forces with building contractor Denys, based in Wondelgem, Belgium, and won the tender. It was a fantastic challenge, because no less than 3,800 m2 had to be built in just 20 weeks, and meet the hospital’s highest requirements!

Different applications

Dutch-Belgian success

The first and second floors of the

The success of this project is largely due

semi-permanent hospital are intended

to the cooperation between Jan Snel and

for nursing wards, consulting rooms for

Denys. Such a cross-border concentration

doctors, and nurse stations.

of strength, of course, demands extra attention. In order to begin the project, for example, a temporary trading association (Tijdelijke Handels Vereniging) was set up under the name Jan Snel-Denys, with Jan Snel as general management. And both Belgian and Dutch contractors were brought in to complete the installations and interior finishing, for example. All

Completion mid June 2012

of this had the same goal: to deliver on

of 0.8 metres x 0.8 metres. The building

schedule, within budget and satisfying

is also equipped with two bed-lifts, built

the requirements.

into a concrete lift shaft, and there are two connections to the existing hospital.

From foundation to installations

In order to ensure that the installations

Like any project, building a semi-

connected faultlessly to those of the

The highest floor is set up as a ‘PAAZ’

permanent hospital has its construction

existing hospital, various installation

ward (a closed psychiatric ward,) fitted

details. Under the building, for instance,

adaptations were required. These were

with isolation cells, among other things.

there is a tunnel with a cross-section of

entirely effected by Jan Snel.

In total, the building offers a capacity

4 metres! As a result, an extra strong

expansion of 91 beds.

foundation was laid with concrete beams

34

magazine

Snel tells

Artist impression

Throughout the construction, two project leaders and one construction supervisor were permanently present on site to manage the project. With its success, we are proud of the building that originally was intended to remain in place for two years. It has also already been suggested that the building might be given a more permanent character.

Completion mid June 2012

magazine

35

Snel modernisation

Book tip

LEGOlisering van de bouw The (Dutch) book 'LEGOlisering van de bouw' (Making construction more like building with Lego) is heading for its third reprint in just three months.

The popularity of the book is, in our eyes, absolutely deserved.

Professor Hennes de Ridder argues in favour of a complete building revolution. His message: do not reinvent the wheel for every building, but use standard products and modular solutions. That is a vision we completely support at Jan Snel.

and compares these to the current approach used in the building sector. De Ridder also draws parallels with other industries.

From cars to computers, TVs to airplanes; all of these products are the result of continuously increasing knowledge and experience. These products are constantly being improved and the developed components are produced in series. The traditional building sector does not work this way. In this sector, each building is approached differently, from scratch. De Ridder argues in favour of modular standard products.

Develop structures in an evolving manner, based on previously completed structures,

Read more

and make them easy to adapt to a different

The strength of this book is that it proposes

The solution is modular

use. This could greatly improve the sector’s

a radical change in the building sector that

customisation

performance and combat the crisis in the

can be implemented with surprising ease.

In 'LEGOlisering van de bouw', Hennes

building sector. Our solutions exactly meet

It costs nothing and reaps great rewards.

de Ridder, professor of civil engineering at

these qualifications. And that is why we

Well, okay, not quite nothing: the book

Delft University of Technology, describes the

have been saying for years that flexible

costs â‚Ź 35, to be precise. For that amount

new building sector using 50 characteristics

building is the new way of building.

you can order the book online via mgmc.nl.

36

magazine

am·bi·tion Not setting boundaries, seeking them out You do not get far without ambition.

Ambition is setting goals for yourself and working towards them. But beware: ambition can also blind you. It is important to sometimes pause for a moment. At such times ambition provides focus.

Putting flexible building on the map, that is Jan Snel’s ambition. We have already come a long way, but we like to inch our way even further!

Snel tells

Modular operation ro Dutch Medical Space enthusiastically received On 1, 2 and 3 February the modular operation room 'Dutch Medical Space' (DMS) was officially launched. The open introductory days were a big success, resulting in many visitors, enthusiastic reactions and various potential orders.

Fully fledged OR DMS OR is a complete operation room that satisfies the Dutch standard class 1, tested according to the German standard DIN 1946-4 and falling under safety class 3.

We can place the DMS OR externally, as a new building against an existing building or build it into an existing space.

38

magazine

Snel tells

ooms We are heading into the world with our offshore units

Ideal solution During the introductory days, many visitors indicated that this complete, modular OR is the ideal solution for renovation, relocation or temporary capacity problems. We also

In the previous edition of JNSNL, there was a background article about the innovative offshore units, which we are marketing with a partner under the name H2M. The light-weight units are ideal for weight reduction for the benefit of offshore and near-shore industry, among other things. The interest in these units is now so great that we are travelling through the country with a real roadshow to introduce potential clients to the units.

heard enthusiastic comments about

as for the wind industry, for example.

The development, maintenance and transport of a wind park have much in common with the activities surrounding oil and gas platforms. Like oil platforms, wind parks also require people to stay overnight to perform maintenance and development activities. And the accommodations around wind parks also need to meet strict safety requirements.

Thanks to these lightweight units, there is more room for heavy equipment.

OTC and Roadshow In order to give as many people as possible the opportunity to admire our

the optimum hygiene and the lower

Ideal, for the wind industry as

offshore units, we recently exhibited

cleaning costs.

well

them at the OTC (Offshore Technology

H2M’s flexible offshore units are made

Conference) in Houston and we are

Some of our contacts are even

of aluminium and weigh just half as

presenting a small roadshow. In June

considering using the DMS OR as

much as regular units. What makes these

we will be in Eemshaven, Hulst and

a clean room or lab. Did you miss

units so unique is that despite this, they

Rotterdam, in August we will be in

the introductory days in Montfoort?

meet all of the strict requirements for

Stavanger (Norway) and in October, we

For more information, go to

construction and fire safety set by DNV

will be in Amsterdam. For the exact dates

dutchmedicalspace.com or

and Lloyds. This makes the offshore units

and locations, check h‑2m.com or phone

phone +31 (0)341 41 33 11.

ideal for the oil and gas industry, as well

+31 (0)6 275 542 91.

magazine

39

40

magazine

Snel tells

Drawn by

Movix

more about the project, he contacted Harry. The strength of Movix is that the system is made to size in a factory and is then assembled in 15% of the normal construction time. In addition, it conforms to the Buildings Decree, has a high-quality finish and almost all of the materials can be reused. Ron comments: ‘Movix has so many advantages and such a high salvage value, that none of the other suppliers could come close to the quotation from Jan Snel. So the decision was easy to make. We now have a fine information centre with all of the necessary facilities; it is most satisfactory. If you ask me, Movix

Ron Hiel worked at Jan Snel as head of the planning and control department and commercial manager. But in 2011 he returned to his first love: civil engineering.

He now works as a project manager for the construction of the Sluiskil tunnel. But he has not forgotten Jan Snel...

was asked to become a project manager

has a fantastic future ahead.’

for the construction of the Sluiskil tunnel, luckily Harry van Zandwijk understood that this was a huge opportunity for me. We parted ways amicably.’

Sluiskil tunnel Ron continues: ‘In my new job, as head of construction, I have final responsibility for the completion of the Sluiskil tunnel.

‘I originally started in the construction

That’s the tunnel under the canal from

world, in civil engineering. But I was away

Ghent to Terneuzen. It’s an enormous

from home a lot in the job I had. That

project that includes a number of surroun-

tore me up, and that’s why I looked for

ding roads in addition to the tunnel. This

a job closer to home. And I found Jan

project is a fantastic opportunity for me.’

Snel in Montfoort. I was drawn by Movix, Jan Snel’s flexible, sustainable building

Fraction of the costs

system. That way of building is such a

But Ron was not quick to forget Jan Snel

good solution for the future; it should

and Movix. So when an information centre

really be given greater publicity. When I

was needed, where visitors could learn

magazine

41

Snel tells

Blu Beach,

storm-, sanden waterproof The best tests are not done in laboratories or wind tunnels, but just outside on a Friday afternoon in Holland. Noordwijk was hit by a big storm.

Blu Beach, Henk Hoogervorst’s beach pavilion, which was built

by Jan Snel, never faltered and bravely stood its ground. Henk tells the story.

all sorts of strict rules and regulations. But you don’t expect that that’s ever really necessary. Outside there was spring tide and wind force 10; all hands on deck!

Owners of other pavilions were busy trying to save their places with shovels and sand.

The water came close to us too, but Blu Beach never faltered. In fact, inside you had no idea that the weather outside was so bad. Of course, it you looked outside, you could see it was horrendous, but you

Lounging at wind force 10

didn’t feel or hear anything. It was super!

‘The beach pavilion opened its doors

Harry van Zandwijk phoned me up to ask

last year,’ says Henk. ‘It’s a luxurious

how it was going, but I could reassure

accommodation with a reception hall, a

him. The piles that the pavilion is built

large terrace and spacious grand café/

on, at 9 metres deep, held on fine. What

restaurant. Jan Snel was contracted to

became a dark day for other catering

build it.’ ‘The proof of the pudding is in

managers was a great day for us: the

the eating,’ so when a big storm hit at

place was full of curious people who came

the beginning of this year, it was a bit

to watch the storm. No, to me, Jan Snel

tense. ‘You know that the pavilion meets

can do no wrong!’

42

magazine

magazine

43

Snel tells

Quality as the

common denominator What does Jan Snel have in common with the market leader in internati-

‘We get along well with the people who

onal employment mediation? ‘The pursuit of quality,’ answers Frank van

work for us,’ says Frank. ‘They come

Gool, owner and director of OTTO Workforce. Jan Snel developed special

here from abroad, so accommodation is

units for OTTO that serve as living studios for their temporary staff.

important. It’s difficult to accommodate

The first ‘hotel’ opens in The Hague in November of this year.

large groups of people at the same time in a qualitatively good manner. So far, they’ve been placed in holiday parks, in normal houses or in normal hotels.

But that’s not ideal. That’s why we went looking for another solution. We quickly found it with Jan Snel.’

Separate studios Jan Snel builds studios of 30-35 m2, which are fully furnished. Each studio has its own shower, toilet, kitchenette, television, furniture and beds. ‘They are completely furnished small studios,’ says Frank. ‘In each place there is space for two people. The strength of this type of accommodation is that in comparison with other types of group accommodation, these residents have much more privacy. They can easily retreat to their own surroundings here, and they are much more independent.’

Central facilities The studios are part of larger units, named hotels. These also have a live-in manager who can help people with

Janssen Wuts architecten

practical matters and keep an eye on things. There is also a central fitness area,

44

magazine

Snel tells

Janssen Wuts architecten

a laundry room with washing machines

city welcomes the initiative. The complex

made. That was really interesting. For next

and there is a classroom, for offering

has an expensive, well-tended appearance

year we have a number of other hotels

courses, for example. In August, Jan

and fits in well with the surroundings.

planned. I have every confidence that our

Snel will begin construction on the first

We are also paying a lot of attention

people will live very comfortably in the

studios, which will be part of a complex

to greenery around the complex; the

units from Jan Snel.’

accommodating almost 200 people.

hotel really needs to become part of the

Frank stresses the temporary nature of

neighbourhood.’

the studios: ‘This type of accommodation is mainly intended for people that stay

Quality

here less than two years. If they stay in

OTTO and Jan Snel have been working

the Netherlands for longer, they integrate

together for six months. Frank comments

into society and will go to live somewhere

on this: ‘It’s the flexibility, the reliability

else. We also assist with that, but this is a

and the brainstorming power of Jan Snel

different living concept.’

that I find particularly attractive. The collaboration feels really good in any case;

Fits in with the surroundings

we are both enterprising parties and that

The first hotel is being built in The Hague,

works well. We also both believe in the

in Laak district. At this location, the plans

importance of respectful partnership and

were well received by the city and sur-

quality. Earlier this year, I went with Jan

rounding residents. Frank comments: ‘The

Snel to China to see how the studios are

magazine

45

Our

vision of flexible building... ble a in a t s su

fle xib le

46

magazine

cra dle to

cra d

le

le b sa u re

magazine

47

Snel discovery

Jan Snel sponsors

the Spanish Riding School

The Spanish Riding School is coming to the Netherlands in November for three performances. That is really something, because the world-famous ‘Lipizzaner’ horses leave their Viennese stalls just once a year to perform abroad.

The Spanish Riding School is the oldest

any other dressage horse. But where the

riding school in the world where classical

training for many horsemen stops, the

equitation is still practiced. The traditional

Spanish Riding School continues with an

training programme proceeds according

haute école. The criteria to be allowed to

to age-old, largely verbal methods. For

host the Lipizzaners and their riders are, of

years the white stallions are trained like

course, extremely high.

The Lipizzaners’ exclusive performances are scheduled on 9, 10 and 11 November

At Jan Snel we currently have a very selec-

2012 in Ahoy Rotterdam. For more

tive sponsorship policy, but we are pleased

information, go to spaanserijschool.nl.

to make a contribution to this event. We recently signed a sponsorship agreement with organiser Ahoy to bring the Spanish Riding School to the Netherlands!

48

magazine

Snel discovery

Lonely at the top?

Safe at the top!

Trade fair agenda Experience flexible building You have to experience the quality of our solutions for yourself. There are plenty of opportunities to do just this, as we will be present at the trade fairs listed below. At our stand, you can get to know Jan Snel and learn about the latest developments relating to flexible building. If you would like to know more about the possibilities for your organisation, stop by our stand at one of the events below or contact us (no obligation), and we will come right to you.

Congres Belgium (Radisson Blu Hotel Astrid)

31 May 2012 Provada (RAI Amsterdam)

Vertically loading 20-ft shipping containers has not done Jan Snel any harm. Due in part to this innovation, patented worldwide, we have earned a cast-iron position in the transport of recyclable materials and non-ferrous metals.

But these activities are no exception; as in all we do, safety comes first.

place the unit. In Hulst there has also

5 to 7 June 2012

been a scaffolding system developed, which we can place around the unit.

Eemsdelta Expo

This enables work at height to proceed

(temporary Eemsdelta-pavilion Eemshaven)

very safely, in the work hall as well.

13, 14 June 2012

At the moment there are various tests and developments underway to make

Introduction to innovations (H2M a.o.)

working at height even safer and

(Jan Snel Hulst)

easier.

22 June 2012 Introduction to innovations (H2M a.o.)

In order to safely be able to shut the

(Hotel At Work, Maasvlakte)

doors of a vertical container, we have

28 June 2012

developed a special system. The drivers are first harnessed and attached to a

Contacta

safety line, after which they can go

(Zeelandhallen Goes)

up. For unit drivers that only deliver a

6 to 8 November 2012

unit on location, operating instructions have been written up, which describe

This overview is subject to change; for current

how they, also on a safety line, can

information please see our website.

magazine

49

HAL 11

stand number

34

Building up brand awareness at

Provada From 5 to 7 June we will be very prominently present at Provada. We are not going to let anything out of the bag, but visitors to the largest real estate fair in the Netherlands will be unable to miss us! Brick by brick we are building up our name and convincing everyone of the ‘LEGOlisering van de bouw’ (Making construction more like building with Lego), so be sure to visit the Jan Snel stand and ask our people all about flexible building.

Challenge us and we will provide a drink and a bite to eat. We hope to see you soon at Provada.

He who sets real estate in motion discovers that anything is possible!

50

magazine

Colofon

Nothing in this publication may be copied or

JNSNL is a Jan Snel publication appearing

duplicated without the express permission

twice a year with a print run of around

of the publisher and without acknowledging

5,000.

the source. The greatest possible care has been taken in compiling this magazine.

Photo: Sports hall in Zwolle

Idea, design and execution

However, the publisher does not accept

Trend reclame & advies Oud-Beijerland, in

responsibility in any form whatsoever for

collaboration with Jan Snel.

possible unforeseen consequences caused by

Various photography: Jos Drop

errors in the magazine.

Willeskop 94 3417 ME Montfoort P.O. Box 200 3417 ZL Montfoort The Netherlands Tel +31 (0)348 47 37 41 Fax +31 (0)348 47 90 51 Mail info@jansnel.com Web www.jansnel.com