Athens 2023 | Innovation

Renovation Amsterdam University Medical Center | UMC

NetherlandsCompany Name: Kwakman Groep | Volendam

Renovation Amsterdam Medical Center | UMC - Gypsum International Trophy 2023

Project description

How to renovate a fully operational hospital, without disturbing patients and doctors and keeping maximum safety and medical standards?

The Amsterdam University Medical Center | UMC, a huge complex of 560.000 m² with over 1.000 beds, undergoes the first extensive renovation since it was opened in 1983. 18 departments are renovated in phases.

The renovation is taking place while the hospital remains fully operational. To manage this extremely complicated project, contractor Kwakman developed a unique building concept ‘Cure’, which incorporates smart building components like efficient preparation, logistics and installation. Modular building, BIM engineering and pre-fabrication are crucial key elements for a successful implementation of this concept, as well as the use of a smart ‘shifting plan’ to manage the renovation floor by floor.

Modular building
BIM engineering
Pre-fabrication
Smart shifting plan (: cellular approach)
Logistical solutions

are key elements for a successful implementation of this concept.

Main information

Building size

23 000 m²

Building purpose / type

Hospital

Building owner name

Universitair Medisch
Centrum Amsterdam,
locatie AMC

Architect name

Wiegerinck,
Arnhem

EGM Architecten,
Dordrecht

Contractor

Company name: Kwakman Groep | Volendam | Netherlands

Main Representative: Mr. Jaap Buijs, Mr. Will Jonk

Number of collaborators: 60 to 250 persons including all project teams

Specialties: Drywall, metal stud walls and ceilings, interior design, Innovative solutions for lightweight construction

Founded in: 1985

Biography: Kwakman is engineer and producer of efficient, sustainable and high-end total drywall solutions, plastering and interior building. Kwakman works for contractors and customers who aim, just like they do, to make building smarter and faster.
To achieve these improved processes, partnerships and cooperation are required. Kwakman innovates and optimizes in every stage of the building process. They increasingly distinguish themselves by strongly advanced BIM engineering, digitization, automation, standardization and pre-production.

Innovation Partner: Saint-Gobain Gyproc, Heijmans, Rosmalen

Contractors: Mr. Jaap Buijs, Mr. Will Jonk

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Key Challenges

The key challenge in this extremely complicated project is to renovate a fully operational hospital, without disturbing patients and doctors, meanwhile keeping maximum standards for safety and medical security.
The building process literally takes place next to fully operational medical departments, which sometimes requires to stop working when a medical emergency occurs.

Developing and implementing the unique building concept (Cure) – and making it work
All parties involved having to work in the same BIM-environment
Working with strict logistics and delivery limitations on hospital site
Cooperating with and depending on multiple parties
in an extremely tight planning where every details depends on a chain of events
Making sure the process and planning is maintained

Key Achievements

The unique ‘Cure’ concept, developed by contractor Kwakman, and this way of working is implemented successfully in this hospital environment, because:

Extensive preparations, meticulous planning and the smart implementation of advanced technology have proven to be efficient and successful
Good coordination and communication with all parties in the process has been crucial to keep the process running smoothly
Close cooperation between contractor and Gyproc to enable the production and smooth supply of the customized packages

The contractor was involved in the development of the renovation process from an early stage.
This concept and the way of working has created a benchmark for renovations in medical environments.