Extremely clean facade appearance thanks to continuous lines

Residential building C19 in Amsterdam-Buiksloterham

Amsterdam's Buiksloterham district is changing from an industrial business park into a circular urban district focused on living and working. Part of the area development are building sections C11, C14 and C19, which have been fitted with ArcelorMittal metal cladding by Rometa Metaalproducten. A striking feature here is the black and profiled Creneo cladding of building C19, which continues in style in the folding shutters and folding doors.

Buildings C11, C14 and C19 were designed by studioninedots and realized by HSB Bouw. “Commissioned by this contractor, we provided the facades with metal cladding that subtly refers to Buiksloterham's industrial past,” says Patrick Heijms, project engineer at Rometa Metal Products. “The facades of C11 and C14 are clad with Magnelis; a flat carbon steel galvanized on both sides in a molten bath. For residential building C19, on the other hand, a black block profile with a special perforation was chosen. We contacted ArcelorMittal at a very early stage to coordinate the details for this. For example, with regard to fastening, profiling, color and gloss level.”

Perfectly aligned

“The challenge is always to translate the architect's aesthetic design into a profile that can be produced and assembled easily and cost-effectively, without compromising on look and feel,” knows Levi Kleinjan, manager Special Façades at ArcelorMittal Construction. “In collaboration with Rometa Metal Products, we have been extremely successful at this again. We looked at various profiles, sizes and gloss levels and set them up in samples, based on which we arrived at a vertically placed Creneo 30/100 block profile in polyurethane 9011 (graphite black) and with a matte finish.” 

Heijms: “We tested our proposal in a mock-up, which we also presented to the architect and contractor. In addition, we worked out specific block profiles for the eight folding shutters (floors) and folding doors (first floor). 

In fact, the desire of studioninedots was to perfectly align the lines of the fixed facade with the lines of the folding shutters and folding doors. For example, to guarantee an extremely tight facade appearance. We put a lot of time and energy into detailing this correctly.” 

Following the facades, folding shutters and folding doors, the wall covers of the balcony and eaves are also included in the profiled facade slab.

Privacy and transparency

“The folding shutters and folding doors offer residents privacy, but also maintain the desired transparency,” emphasizes Heijms, who compares the principle to net curtains. “Small perforations have been made in the block profiles, preserving the view outside. Even when the shutters are closed. In addition, comfortable daylighting is guaranteed, which contributes to living comfort.”

175 m2 of block profiles

C19 accommodates two stacked two-story houses, which are fitted with Creneo block profiles all around. “In total, we mounted some 175 m2 of façade profiles on an HSB rear construction,” Heijms explains. “The HSB construction was first provided with a foil to ensure perfect waterproofing. We then applied a rear construction with horizontal omega profiles, which served as the support structure for the profiled facade cladding. All block profiles were screwed, with the color of the screws matched exactly to the color of the profiles. In combination with the well-chosen screw positions, a harmonious and tight facade appearance was created.”

Follow-up Project

Just before the 2024 construction period, Rometa Metal Products completed the facade of Block C19. Meanwhile, the Uden-based metal construction company is also involved in a follow-up project on Distelweg, which will also involve working with ArcelorMittal's products.