The precast spiral – “De Helix” residential tower in Groningen

Figure: Duha-Fertigteilbau

East view of the 22-story residential tower seen from Bedumerweg

Figure: Duha-Fertigteilbau

Underside of the façade of the nonagonal high-rise building

Figure: Duha-Fertigteilbau

On the outer side, the precast elements are fully tiled

Figure: Duha-Fertigteilbau

All wall elements, including the windows, were prefabricated in the plant

Figure: Duha-Fertigteilbau

On average, one floor was erected every nine days

Figure: Duha-Fertigteilbau

The fully glazed common rooms on the individual floors produce a striking helical band

Figure: Duha-Fertigteilbau

Südansicht des
Studierendenwohn-heims von der Poortstraat aus

Figure: Duha-Fertigteilbau

A tower and at the same time an example of good German-Dutch collaboration – constructive, goal-oriented planning and intelligent production methods and processing enabled the De Helix spiral in Groningen, Netherlands, a precast construction, to be quickly and successfully realized. The complete article incl. the construction panel can be read in the Betonbauteile Jahrbuch 2021.

A tower indeed it is: not a “Tower of Babel”, but an example of good German-Dutch collaboration. Constructive, goal-oriented planning and an intelligent production method, implemented with military precision, resulted in quick and successful realization of the precast construction, despite the cramped spatial conditions in the inner city.

As an up-and-coming university location with increasing attraction for students (47 % of the population is 30 or younger), Groningen is experiencing a growing need for affordable housing. Accordingly, an invitation to tender for an apartment complex near the...