HENDRIK BASKEWEG

Slim UHPC balconies support the 3D-printed façade of two renovated 1970s apartment buildings

Build Year

2024-2026

Architect

Kokon Architectuur & Stedenbouw

Entrepreneur

A. Tuin Den Helder

Engineer

Movares, IRG Ingenieursbureau Rijnders & de Groot, Pieters Bouwtechniek

Builder

Woningstichting Den Helder

FROM 1970S APARTMENTS TO SCULPTURAL HOUSING

In Den Helder, the Netherlands, two residential buildings from the 1970s have undergone a remarkable transformation. The renovation of Hendrik Baskeweg has given 154 apartments a completely new architectural identity while improving living conditions and extending the buildings' expected service life by another 50 years.

Designed by Kokon Architectuur & Stedenbouw, the project replaces the original façades with flowing, organic forms inspired by Antoni Gaudí. A central part of the renovation was the enlargement of the existing balconies, giving residents more outdoor spaces while creating a distinctive new façade.

Making this design possible required an unusual combination of construction technologies. The curved balcony parapets were produced using 3D concrete printing, while the underlying balcony slabs FFneeded to be lightweight enough for the existing building and strong enough to support the heavy printed elements. Hi-Con's prefabricated balconies in Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) offered a solution to both requirements.

SLIM UHPC BALCONIES SUPPORT THE ARCHITECTURE

For Hendrik Baskeweg, Hi-Con produced and delivered 336 balconies in UHPC across 32 different variations. The elements have an average thickness of just 85 mm, with dimensions ranging from approximately 4,000 to 5,000 mm in length and 1,500 to 2,800 mm in depth.

The material's high strength made it possible to produce slender, lightweight balcony slabs with the load-bearing capacity needed to support the 3D-printed concrete elements, without placing too much weight on the existing structure.

An equally important part of the solution was the connection between the two concrete technologies. Hi-Con took a leading role in the technical coordination together with Bruil and the project engineers, developing a special connection and support details for the 3D-printed elements. This ensured that the prefabricated balcony slabs could accommodate the façade elements and their structural requirements.

The result combines two different approaches to concrete construction, each serving a specific purpose. Together, they demonstrate how close technical collaboration and the right combination of materials can make ambitious architectural designs possible.

What is UHPC?

AN AMBITIOUS RENOVATION

The renovation has given Hendrik Baskeweg a distinctive new architectural identity, with larger balconies, upgraded façades and sculptural concrete details that bring a new dimension to the buildings' appearance.

The project was carried out while the buildings remained occupied, allowing residents to stay in their homes throughout the renovation. The transformation is expected to extend the buildings' service life by another 50 years. And with a lifespan of more than 100 years and no need for structural maintenance, Hi-Con's balcony solution contributes to this by providing a durable solution for the buildings.

The innovative use of concrete has also attracted recognition within the Dutch construction industry. Hendrik Baskeweg has been nominated for the Betonprijs 2026 in both the Residential Construction (Woningbouw) and Existing Buildings (Bestaande bouw) categories.

Do you want to know more about our balcony solutions? Contact our specialists to understand how they could fit your project.