Weatherproof Covered Walkways for Coastal Area

In Opmeer, North Holland, we delivered a covered walkway project of nearly 1,000 m² for the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA). The request: provide a shelter to protect residents and staff from wind and weather across the open site, without attaching it to the housing units.

Walkways Covered in Record Time

The reception center is located in a coastal area where wind, rain, and other weather conditions play a significant role. COA therefore wanted the walkways between private units and communal buildings to be fully covered. The challenge? The entire process, from design to installation, had to be completed within three months. Additional requirements applied for wind and snow loads, and the structure had to be completely freestanding.

Project Summary

• Surface area: 960 m² shelter

• Dimensions: 4 walkways, each 48 meters long

• Structure: Freestanding C-profile steel frame, anchored to concrete

• Roofing: Polycarbonate multiwall sheets

• Standards: Dutch Building Code + EN 1090

• Delivery: Within 3 months

The solution: Sturdy, Translucent, and Rapidly Delivered

We developed a solution using in-house manufactured C-profile steel structures, fitted with translucent polycarbonate multiwall sheets as roofing. The structure is anchored on existing concrete slabs and remains completely detached from the residential units.

The selected materials not only provide ample natural light under the shelter but also ensure stability and durability, even in extreme weather conditions. The four covered walkways, each 48 meters in length, together span a total area of 960 m².

The design took into account the placement of the columns in relation to the container doors. These were positioned to avoid the joints in the concrete slabs and placed beside the doors to ensure optimal accessibility. The structure offers flexibility: columns can be placed at 1, 2, 3, or 4-meter intervals, and every 5 meters with additional reinforcement, depending on site conditions.

Combining Speed with Quality

By handling the entire process, from engineering to production, in-house, we were able to meet the tight schedule and comply with all technical specifications.

Permanent Quality with Temporary Flexibility

Although the shelter is initially in place for a minimum of four months, it complies with all standards for permanent construction (in accordance with the Dutch Building Code and EN 1090). The solution is designed for a lifespan of 10 to 20 years and comes with a ten-year warranty.