Aquadoorn becomes a swimming pool with the spirit of Apeldoorn

Collaboration with a social conscience

In the construction of Aquadoorn, a great deal of attention is being paid to Social Return on Investment (SROI). This means that efforts are being made to create jobs for people who need extra support to find paid work. Think, for example, of people receiving benefits under the Participation Act.

The Lucrato work-training centre helps with this. They assess which people are suitable for work on the building site. Buddo Personnel Services takes the pressure off the parties involved when it comes to social responsibility as an employer. Two employees have now started work at Aquadoorn. They break old paving slabs in half to use as raw material for construction. These slabs come from the council’s ‘tile taxi’ scheme.

The Tile Taxi

The Apeldoorn council’s annual ‘tile taxi’ scheme helps residents make their gardens greener. The council collects old tiles free of charge if residents use them to green up their gardens. At the council’s circular economy site, the tiles are sorted and made available as a new raw material. The tiles are reused in public spaces, as raw material for new paving stones, and now also in the façade of the Aquadoorn swimming pool.

By reusing materials, Wind Design + Build uses fewer new raw materials. This is in line with the council’s policy of promoting more circular and green construction. Tiles are given a new lease of life, and Apeldoorn is becoming an increasingly green and climate-resilient city. In this case, half-sized paving slabs are being reused in the brickwork façade on the ground floor of the swimming pool.

Brazilian brickwork

Part of the Aquadoorn façade is being built using Brazilian-style brickwork. This is a construction method in which bricks or half-tiles are not laid completely flush against one another. This creates small openings through which light and air can enter. It gives the façade a playful and open appearance. In warm countries, this provides natural ventilation. In the Netherlands, it is increasingly being used as an attractive and distinctive feature of buildings. The use of this brickwork reduces the need for façade grilles.

Collaboration is paying off

The great thing about this collaboration with Wind Design + Build is that Lucrato is also involved in discussions with subcontractors and installers. Together, they look at where else suitable work can be organised. In this way, the construction site is increasingly becoming an inclusive workplace, where social benefits go hand in hand with craftsmanship. This is very much in line with the council’s vision: in Apeldoorn, everyone takes part, with support provided where necessary.

Wind Design + Build: building a circular icon

Wind Design + Build is the main contractor for the project. They combine design and construction within a single team, making them the linchpin in the realisation of the swimming pool. Together with the architect, VenhoevenCS, and its construction team, the plans for Aquadoorn focus entirely on the sustainable use of materials and an open, green aesthetic that fits in with the Veluwe. The façades connect with the surrounding park, whilst inside, sport and nature come together through light and sightlines. The choice of reused paving slabs in the (Brazilian-style) brickwork fits perfectly with this concept. Construction is proceeding according to plan. The 50-metre pool is under construction and, step by step, it is becoming clear how Aquadoorn is taking shape on Vlijtseweg. Anyone wishing to see the progress of the construction can do so via the neighbourhood app follow the project.

Or scan the QR code and download the app straight away onto your phone.