Theater on the Parade puts construction company in spotlight

In the vibrant heart of Den Bosch shines the new Theater aan de Parade, which was festively opened by King Willem-Alexander on March 1. The completed project is exceptional for its complexity and seamless cooperation between numerous parties involved. This did not go unnoticed during the Construsoft BIM Awards. Mertens Bouwbedrijf rightfully secured a place among the proud winners of this competition, which offers innovative and successful BIM projects a stage. Behind the new theater is the expertise of Mertens Bouwbedrijf, an acclaimed name in non-residential construction. With a portfolio full of projects including schools, health centers and government buildings, the company recently added another triumph to its list of honor: the realization of the Theater aan de Parade. 

The project includes both a bold new building and a respectful renovation of the original theater, which was built in the 1970s. Sustainability is the foundation of the building, where the challenge lay in preserving the concrete structure of the main auditorium in the midst of all the (demolition) work. For example, there were concrete walls 15 to 20 meters high that had to remain in place, while right next to them a new foundation was being built. Luc Thomassen, work planner at Mertens Bouwbedrijf explains: "Maintaining this existing structure and the new building around it was one of the core challenges of the project. Partly due to the use of Tekla Structures, we were able to manage this excellently."

After the demolition phase, construction began under the direction of Mertens. For example, the stage tower, a steel-concrete combination, has been completely reconstructed behind the main auditorium. Furthermore, the theater also includes an adaptable center hall with retractable bleachers, suitable for both theatrical performances and the famous Oeteldonk carnival. The total project consists of nearly 900 tons of steel and a diverse mix of construction materials, including in-situ concrete, Alvon walls and more than 4,000 square meters of hollow-core slab floor. "This is the largest job we have ever done," concludes a proud Thomassen. "In this era we are fortunate to see an emergence of 3D modeling for large elements such as concrete structures, which offers fantastic advantages for coordination. Not only do we ensure that all forms fit perfectly, but also that all joints are well matched. Thanks to Tekla Structures, we can map this effortlessly and coordinate it seamlessly."

As general contractor, Mertens Construction Company worked with a variety of subcontractors. "Especially with a theater like this, you naturally have many different disciplines coming together," Thomassen says. "The abundance of valuable 3D product information we received was a crucial asset for this project. In addition to the detailed elaboration of steel and concrete structures, building installations, theatrical systems, architectural finishes and extensive components such as floors, precast stairs and façade elements also come to life in a 3D model. By using advanced tools such as Trimble Connect, we have combined all IFC models into one overarching model. This not only provides the ability to centrally coordinate all relevant project information, but also promotes the exchange of expertise and creates close collaboration between all those involved in the project."

Merging 3D models also has other advantages, Thomassen says: "Virtually exploring the building allows us to identify potential problems in advance, before they actually occur in the construction process. What is realized at the construction site is seamlessly reflected on the screen, whether on a tablet on site or on a large screen in our construction booth. This process significantly increases the efficiency and precision of the construction process." More information and a video about this project can be found on Construsoft's website.   

Also, watch the video via this website.