At the construction site in Amstelveen, speed, technology, and teamwork form the foundation of the project. Layers Amstelveen is being built at the De Loeten business park—8 XL units in a prominent location along the highway. What makes this project special? Not only the scale and appeal of the new Layers concept, but also the way CNSTRCT aligns with Layers’ approach: adapting quickly, building smartly, and continuously improving.
For CNSTRCT, this first project marks an important milestone. “This is the first project we’re building for Layers,” says Ruben, planning manager at CNSTRCT. We’ve been working with CNSTRCT for a year now, and we’re very pleased with the collaboration. In fact, another project is on the way. In August, we’ll start a new project in Leiden with 72 new-construction units. It’s the first multi-story project that Layers is developing.
Ruben notices on the construction site that the collaboration is going smoothly. “The lines of communication are short, decisions are made quickly, and there’s room for our input.”
Coordinating the concrete and steel structures was still a challenge, but in the end, they fit together perfectly. That’s because the structure is anything but standard. The main load-bearing structure is made of concrete, while the roof structure is constructed entirely of steel. These are two different construction systems that had to be precisely aligned with one another.
“Different materials also come with different tolerances. That’s exactly what made it complicated. But in the end, you can see that everything is coming together nicely.”
According to Ruben, Layers’ strength lies precisely in the combination of a smart basic concept and room for project-specific adaptation. “We start with a compact structural design that we further optimize together. This allows us to design and build efficiently.” He’s also struck by how quickly Layers gets projects off the ground.
“From permits to sales and ultimately execution, the entire process runs remarkably smoothly. Compared to more traditional developers, it’s a much more pleasant way to work.”
Kasper Noordover, a developer at Today Real Estate Development, also sees that speed as one of the company’s greatest strengths, and that is evident in this project.
“We’re standing right next to one of our previously completed Layers projects with 54 units,” he says. “Now, 50 meters down the road, we’re building eight new Layers XL units based on our new concept.” The concept stands out primarily in its use of materials and aesthetic appeal. “Here, we’re using a mix of concrete and wood instead of standard sandwich panels. This gives the building a higher-quality look and helps it blend in better with the surroundings.”
Layers won the contract through a tender issued by the municipality of Amstelveen. And according to Kasper, this was the key to success: close collaboration with the municipality.
“We really developed this project together. There was an environmental working group where the municipality’s wishes and our own ambitions came together. When you look at the building now, you can see that reflected in the architecture.”
Extra attention has been paid to the surroundings, and according to Kasper, you can see that everywhere. At the rear of the building runs an overpass with heavy daily traffic. “People there look straight up at our roof. That’s why we opted for raised facades and a green roof, so that instead of looking at bare roofing, you see greenery.”
Approximately 4,000 m² will ultimately be developed on the approximately 6,000 m² lot. The 8 units range in size from 400 to 1,000 m² per unit. It is precisely this mix that makes the project attractive to a variety of businesses. The tenants in this building range from a printer and a coffee producer to logistics companies. This creates a dynamic work environment within an already vibrant business park.
The end is slowly coming into view. The final steel structures are being installed, and the first facade components will be put in place soon. “I’m looking forward to the day we can hand over the project. That’s when you’ll really see what it was all for,” says Ruben.
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“From permits to sales and ultimately execution, the entire process runs remarkably smoothly. Compared to more traditional developers, it’s a much more pleasant way to work.”
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