Bajeskwartier, buildings G & E

977 piles 23000 metres in pile length

Vroom is making around 1000 Vibro-combi piles for buildings G and E in the Bajeskwartier in Amsterdam. In the near future technology, culture and sustainability will come together on this spot, in an innovative neighbourhood full of history. Indeed, construction on the Bajeskwartier ‘builds on’ what we knew then using state-of-the-art technology.

The Bajeskwartier will, when finished, have 1350 dwellings, both for rent and owner-occupied, housing a broad section of society. In addition, the Bajeskwartier will have space for a secondary school, flexible working space, a hotel, culture and design, and a unique landmark, the ‘Green Tower’.

With more greenery and plenty space for walkers and cyclists, the Bajeskwartier sets the bar high in terms of sustainability, green space and healthy living. One of the aims is to enable residents to live longer, healthier lives. If that is to be achieved, the neighbourhood has to be made suitable for low car use and, in many places, entirely car free. This is being done with greenery, while the layout of the neighbourhood and the buildings themselves invite residents to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Vehicles can be parked underground, leaving space for around 70 adjoining, generally public gardens, courtyards and water features above ground. The two-storey underground car park will have space for 410 vehicles. In addition to public parking spaces and spaces for residents, there will also be a mobility hub with loan vehicles, including electric cars. This means that residents of the Bajeskwartier will always have access to a suitable mode of transport without the hassle of vehicle ownership. Spaklerweg metro station is also adjacent to the development.

No more 'porridge’

The Bijlmerbajes (bajes being a Dutch word for 'stir’ or 'clink') was completed in 1978. Not in the Bijlmer area of south-east Amsterdam, but in Overamstel, closer to the city centre. It comprised six tower blocks, connected by a walkway (jokingly referred to as 'the Kalverstraat', one of the chic shopping streets in the city), and had a capacity of 600 inmates. In line with the idealistic ethos of the time, it had to be a 'humane’ prison. Initially, the windows didn't even have the traditional bars and there were plans to surround the prison with a hedge, rather than a high wall. The prison guards saw their role more as counsellors and soft drug use was rife. Until 2016. By then, the world had changed quite a bit. The inmates were sent to other locations and the Bijlmerbajes was ready for redevelopment.

Source reference and more information can be found at https://www.bajeskwartier.com/