Kraanspoor building

The derelict crane line on the old NDSM yard in Amsterdam has undergone a genuine metamorphosis. A transparent office building has risen above the concrete bones of the old structure. To make the construction of three floors possible, a steel structure was used that was galvanised by Rotocoat in Heerhugowaard. Staco Nederland supplied gratings and treads for this project, which won the Dutch 2008 National Steel Award.

The crane line was built in 1952. It is 270 metres long, is located 13.5 metres above the surface of the IJ river and it housed the largest cranes in the harbour area. It was used to transport materials from land to the ships moored in the harbour. Shipbuilding went into decline after the 1970s and things went quiet at the NDSM yard. The site was used only for cultural projects, events and filming.

The unceasing efforts of OTH Ontwerpgroep Trude Hooykaas resulted in the completion of the Crane Line Project. The guiding principles for the project were the preservation of the old concrete structure and the creation of enough office space. The maximum load-bearing capacity of the existing concrete structure and the desire to create a transparent building meant that a lightweight steel structure was used to support the office building. The facade consists of an outer glass wall and an inner wall 60 cm apart. The outer wall is made up of movable horizontal glass sections with a reflective coating. The ventilation system uses low-energy mechanical extraction through the grating walkways in the space between the walls. WVL Staalbouwers from Schagen commissioned Verzinkerij Heerhugowaard to galvanise the steel structure and Staco Nederland supplied Staco pressed gratings type RR 3-30 and stair treads type TR 2-40.

The Crane Line building has already won a range of awards. At the international property fair in Cannes in March 2008, it received the Green Building Award and the Special Jury Award. In May 2008, it carried off the prestigious Award for Excellence of the Urban Land Institute. In the Netherlands, the project won the 2008 National Steel Award.

Staco products used

Staco pressed gratings type RR
Staco pressed gratings stairtreads TR

Technical information

Staco floor gratings type RR 3-30, mesh size 33 x 33, hot-dip galvanised, ca. 1200 m² Staco treads type TR 2-40, mesh size 33 x 33, hot-dip galvanised.

Location

Kraanspoor, Amsterdam, NL

Applications

Floors
Staircases

Used in sectors

Commercial
Architectural