Residence Louise Marie is a new landmark on the Antwerp skyline. With its glass facade - which forms an acoustic screen between the two buildings - the residential project attracts all the attention. The Tectum Group had the opportunity to contribute to this aesthetic appearance. In close collaboration with the architect and the main contractor, we developed the customized balustrades for Louise Marie.
Louise Marie stands as an architectural masterpiece of light and glass. Residents enjoy exceptional views from their apartments. To ensure unobstructed, panoramic views, the design team at POLO Architects initially proposed slender steel balustrades to border the balconies. "But this design choice had major budgetary implications," recalls project manager Evert Van Campenhout. "The main contractor, Vanhout, had therefore suggested switching to aluminum and approached Tectum Group. Based on the outlined challenge, we designed a balustrade concept that imitated the steel balustrades as much as possible".
There was a lot of contemplation and coordination between words and deeds. To reach the final solution, we meticulously refined our standard products to closely imitate the appearance of steel balustrades. In parallel, we innovated and created new applications. Our extensive research was translated into mock-ups, allowing the architect and contractor to evaluate the intended outcome. For instance, we positioned the bottom rail entirely on the base plate to hide the screws. We also designed a continuous handle and fine-tuned the spacing between the slats and balusters. Throughout these modifications, safety remained a top priority. The balustrade had to be both safe and attractive. Therefore, we hired an external stability engineer to verify our calculations and provide an extra layer of assurance.
After a joint design process, Tectum Group was trusted by the architect and contractor to manufacture and install the sophisticated balustrades. For the production, Tectum Group exclusively collaborated with the Dutch company AMG Railing. " What makes Louise Marie unique is that the architect designed a different type of balustrade for the street facades than for the garden facades. On the Desguinlei and Karel Oomsstraat side, the balconies have been fitted with a raised wall. We finished this with wall caps on which the balustrades were placed. This design choice resulted in a balustrade height of only 70 cm, according to the standard, allowing us to use thinner profiles. The balustrades on the street side are also straight, in contrast to those on the garden side, wich feature repeated in and out terraces. To avoid dimensional conflicts, we decided to cut the top rails on site. In total, we installed 2.3 kilometers of balustrades. While this might seem remarkable, it certainly was not our first challenge," says Evert Van Campenhout.
In order to minimize the overall production and planning lead time, Tectum Group intensified the drawing work and ensured thorough preparation in the workshop. For instance, we organized the railings by floor and packed them accordingly. Moreover, by working continuously in 2 to 3 shifts, we were able to successfully complete the project in only 10 weeks," says Evert Van Campenhout.
To ensure the safety of their own teams and other workers on the site, Tectum Group installed a temporary lifeline on the balconies and temporarily assumed key management of the apartments. This prevented access to the floors where work was being carried out and where there was no temporary protection on the balconies. This demonstrates how Tectum Group thinks comprehensively as a partner in all aspects of the execution".
We want to position ourselves as a dedicated partner finding solutions to project-related challenges.
The customization of Louise Marie was not Tectum Group's first challenge. "We have previously tailored project-specific solutions, and we want to focus more on this approach. We want to position ourselves as a dedicated partner finding solutions for project-specific challenges," explains branch manager Sven Devlieghere. "In the past, we analyzed price quotes to provide the best possible answer within our standard product range. Now, we seek opportunities to adjust our products to meet the client's needs. This involves thinking broadly, always ensuring the final solution complies with applicable Belgian standards. To enhance our chances of success, early involvement in the process is crucial, preferably in the design phase. This way, we contribute as a total partner in the construction team, considering aspects such as balustrades and railings for interior staircases. In renovations, we offer one-stop-shop solutions for the renovation of balconies, from concrete repair to waterproofing and balustrades."
Are you facing challenges with the aesthetic, technical or budgetary aspects of balustrades or railings in your project? Contact us! Our dedicated specialists will be happy to collaborate with you to find the appropriate solution.
Residence Louise Marie is a new landmark on the Antwerp skyline. With its glass facade - which forms an acoustic screen between the two buildings - the residential project attracts all the attention. The Tectum Group had the opportunity to contribute to this aesthetic appearance. In close collaboration with the architect and the main contractor, we developed the customized balustrades for Louise Marie.
Louise Marie stands as an architectural masterpiece of light and glass. Residents enjoy exceptional views from their apartments. To ensure unobstructed, panoramic views, the design team at POLO Architects initially proposed slender steel balustrades to border the balconies. "But this design choice had major budgetary implications," recalls project manager Evert Van Campenhout. "The main contractor, Vanhout, had therefore suggested switching to aluminum and approached Tectum Group. Based on the outlined challenge, we designed a balustrade concept that imitated the steel balustrades as much as possible".
There was a lot of contemplation and coordination between words and deeds. To reach the final solution, we meticulously refined our standard products to closely imitate the appearance of steel balustrades. In parallel, we innovated and created new applications. Our extensive research was translated into mock-ups, allowing the architect and contractor to evaluate the intended outcome. For instance, we positioned the bottom rail entirely on the base plate to hide the screws. We also designed a continuous handle and fine-tuned the spacing between the slats and balusters. Throughout these modifications, safety remained a top priority. The balustrade had to be both safe and attractive. Therefore, we hired an external stability engineer to verify our calculations and provide an extra layer of assurance.
After a joint design process, Tectum Group was trusted by the architect and contractor to manufacture and install the sophisticated balustrades. For the production, Tectum Group exclusively collaborated with the Dutch company AMG Railing. " What makes Louise Marie unique is that the architect designed a different type of balustrade for the street facades than for the garden facades. On the Desguinlei and Karel Oomsstraat side, the balconies have been fitted with a raised wall. We finished this with wall caps on which the balustrades were placed. This design choice resulted in a balustrade height of only 70 cm, according to the standard, allowing us to use thinner profiles. The balustrades on the street side are also straight, in contrast to those on the garden side, wich feature repeated in and out terraces. To avoid dimensional conflicts, we decided to cut the top rails on site. In total, we installed 2.3 kilometers of balustrades. While this might seem remarkable, it certainly was not our first challenge," says Evert Van Campenhout.
In order to minimize the overall production and planning lead time, Tectum Group intensified the drawing work and ensured thorough preparation in the workshop. For instance, we organized the railings by floor and packed them accordingly. Moreover, by working continuously in 2 to 3 shifts, we were able to successfully complete the project in only 10 weeks," says Evert Van Campenhout.
To ensure the safety of their own teams and other workers on the site, Tectum Group installed a temporary lifeline on the balconies and temporarily assumed key management of the apartments. This prevented access to the floors where work was being carried out and where there was no temporary protection on the balconies. This demonstrates how Tectum Group thinks comprehensively as a partner in all aspects of the execution".
The customization of Louise Marie was not Tectum Group's first challenge. "We have previously tailored project-specific solutions, and we want to focus more on this approach. We want to position ourselves as a dedicated partner finding solutions for project-specific challenges," explains branch manager Sven Devlieghere. "In the past, we analyzed price quotes to provide the best possible answer within our standard product range. Now, we seek opportunities to adjust our products to meet the client's needs. This involves thinking broadly, always ensuring the final solution complies with applicable Belgian standards. To enhance our chances of success, early involvement in the process is crucial, preferably in the design phase. This way, we contribute as a total partner in the construction team, considering aspects such as balustrades and railings for interior staircases. In renovations, we offer one-stop-shop solutions for the renovation of balconies, from concrete repair to waterproofing and balustrades."
Are you facing challenges with the aesthetic, technical or budgetary aspects of balustrades or railings in your project? Contact us! Our dedicated specialists will be happy to collaborate with you to find the appropriate solution.
Residence Louise Marie is a new landmark on the Antwerp skyline. With its glass facade - which forms an acoustic screen between the two buildings - the residential project attracts all the attention. The Tectum Group had the opportunity to contribute to this aesthetic appearance. In close collaboration with the architect and the main contractor, we developed the customized balustrades for Louise Marie.
Louise Marie stands as an architectural masterpiece of light and glass. Residents enjoy exceptional views from their apartments. To ensure unobstructed, panoramic views, the design team at POLO Architects initially proposed slender steel balustrades to border the balconies. "But this design choice had major budgetary implications," recalls project manager Evert Van Campenhout. "The main contractor, Vanhout, had therefore suggested switching to aluminum and approached Tectum Group. Based on the outlined challenge, we designed a balustrade concept that imitated the steel balustrades as much as possible".
There was a lot of contemplation and coordination between words and deeds. To reach the final solution, we meticulously refined our standard products to closely imitate the appearance of steel balustrades. In parallel, we innovated and created new applications. Our extensive research was translated into mock-ups, allowing the architect and contractor to evaluate the intended outcome. For instance, we positioned the bottom rail entirely on the base plate to hide the screws. We also designed a continuous handle and fine-tuned the spacing between the slats and balusters. Throughout these modifications, safety remained a top priority. The balustrade had to be both safe and attractive. Therefore, we hired an external stability engineer to verify our calculations and provide an extra layer of assurance.
We want to position ourselves as a dedicated partner finding solutions to project-related challenges.
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