The Orchard
Rijswijk
509 apartments,
spread over two
residential towers
2025-2026
air handling units
on staggered roofs
The Orchard
The Sterpassage was one of the first partially covered shopping centres in the Netherlands when it opened in 1963. Two residential towers are being built on the site of this now demolished shopping centre, with space for shops and restaurants on the ground floor. The Orchard was designed by two different architectural firms and developed by 3W Real Estate, ERA Contour and the Municipality of Rijswijk. The Orchard I consists of 407 mid-range rental apartments, while The Orchard II consists of 27 owner-occupied and 75 rental apartments, of which one third is social housing
As a regular co-maker of contractor ERA Contour, Bemar is already involved in the preliminary phase of pre-engineering to be able to make the best possible offer and together win the project, explains project leader Hans Verheijden. With success: the team translates the Programme of Requirements into the best offer and is now well on its way with the implementation.
Air handling units on staggered roofs
All 509 apartments will have an individual unit with heat recovery (Itho Daalderop HRU 350). Supply and extraction ducts run through communal shafts to the roof, except at Orchard I. There, an individual supply duct via the balconies has been chosen, which is embedded in the wide slab floor and balcony slab. ‘This allows you to limit the surface area of the duct and gain a little more living space,’ says Hans. ‘Every square metre counts.’
Air handling units provide ventilation for the traffic areas. A special feature here is that the roofs of the towers are staggered, creating roof terraces here and there. As a result, Bemar is installing a total of twelve air handling units. The systems on the roof are from Orange Climate, and System Air units are suspended from the ceiling inside. For Bemar, this is the first project that must comply with the new fire safety requirements. A standard fire damper in the ductwork in the circulation areas is no longer sufficient; it must be motor driven. ‘This involves a lot of engineering hours, together with the electrician,’ says Hans.
The power of collaboration
A large team is working on the project, including a project manager, an installation manager and two chief engineers. A test house has been built for both plots. ‘The law of large numbers applies here, so you have to make sure that law doesn't fool you,’ says Hans. Other Interduct companies are also involved in this project. Robé is producing all the flat ducts, shaft ducts and chimneys for the project, as well as a real eye-catcher: outdoor ductwork that is concealed in pergolas in the courtyard garden of The Orchard I. In addition, Bemar is purchasing various installations through VentTrade. In this way, we are working together on this large project to ensure a sustainable, healthy and comfortable indoor climate for future residents.
Project The Orchard in photos
