The last loft houses are delivered at 50KV 2

The 50KV project includes the realization of 30 loft homes in the former switching and transformer station of the Stedelijke Licht Fabrieken in Leiden. The historic character of the building has been preserved during the transformation. The last loft houses are delivered and thus a successful project is completed.

The building has been given a contemporary look thanks to the design of PBV architects. The lofts consist of three floors and a roof terrace, in addition, the houses have their own parking space in the basement. The lofts are accessed from the so-called inner street on the first floor. As a result, all lofts are located along the exterior facades and receive daylight through the floor-to-ceiling window openings sawn into the existing facades.

A number of constructive challenges have been overcome. For example, for parking in the basement, for which an adapted column structure was necessary. Existing concrete columns have been replaced to create a usable grid. Due to the high groundwater level, it was necessary to install new piles from the BG, using steel casings that were installed on the basement floor.

It was also a challenge to see large window openings in the existing brickwork. Integrated into the new floors, facilities have been included that support the "loose" façade sections. Because the architect wanted to make the roof accessible, it was necessary to partially remove the existing bims concrete slabs. The installation of the new steel construction for the reception of the existing roof and the integration of this construction with the existing steel construction ultimately fit like a complex puzzle.

The intensive collaboration with the architect and the contractor led to a great project. The bumps that we encountered during the implementation, especially in the re-use of existing buildings, have been efficiently solved as a team. Pieters therefore looks with great satisfaction at the end result and the lessons we have learned.