Living alongside a busy motorway requires smart solutions. For the new Canvas Living development in Rotterdam, we designed custom-made façade grilles that let fresh air in while keeping traffic noise out. This creates a healthy and comfortable living environment right in the heart of the city.
Case study
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Custom safety doors for Vitens
At the new Van Heek production site of Vitens in Zeddam, the building had to blend into its natural surroundings while meeting strict functional and safety requirements for access and escape doors. Merford supplied steel doors with wooden cladding, allowing them to visually merge with the building’s wooden exterior while meeting high standards for security, acoustics and water resistance.
The doors blend naturally into the wooden exterior, while meeting strict standards for security, acoustics and water resistance.
A Functional Design in a Natural Setting
The Van Heek drinking water production facility produces 3.75 million cubic metres of water annually and supplies around 70,000 residents in the municipality of Montferland and surrounding areas with softened drinking water. Designed by Rooding Architecten, the building is wrapped in a distinctive wooden shell that allows it to integrate naturally into the surrounding landscape. Behind this outer layer lies a concrete filter building containing a pump basement, two clean-water reservoirs, electrical rooms and office space.
The architecture is defined by its angular form and natural wooden façade. To maintain visual consistency, the doors in the exterior walls were fitted with wooden cladding that aligns with the overall design.
Combining accessibility and safety
Merford supplied steel access and escape doors with specific functional features:
- Burglar resistance (RC3 classification)
- Sound insulation for the NSA room
- Burglar-resistant ventilation grilles for the NSA room
- Watertight doors for access to the clean-water reservoirs
- Access control systems on selected entrance doors
The technical integration was developed in close consultation with the architect. The doors were fully aligned with both the design intent and the functional requirements of the building.
Captured on site
Integrated performance in a natural setting
The result is a safe, functional and aesthetically integrated solution. The doors blend naturally into the wooden exterior and contribute to both the security and acoustic comfort of the building. At the same time, they support the natural and sustainable appearance of the facility.
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