In conversation with Roy van Hoorn, ambassador for steel frame construction in the Netherlands      

'We want more than that little corner on the annual 'National Steel Construction Day'

For architect Roy van Hoorn (35), in daily life co-founder and co-owner of BAAS Architects in Tilburg, the concept of "steel frame construction" cannot be brought to the attention of the building industry in the Netherlands enough. Not for nothing is he trying to take a leading role in this, as chairman of the committee Platform Steel Frame Construction, a special forum within Building with Steel. "The goal is to create connection and visibility," he says. "In other words, we want to encourage its application and create a lower threshold. Or rather: no threshold at all. I see that knowledge about steel frame construction is low among architects, engineers and developers in the Netherlands. And that's a missed opportunity."

A sound and clear mission, then, Van Hoorn has been president for two years. "I don't need to sell steel frame construction myself, but I do think it's important to talk to the market about the technical and aesthetic advantages. After all, the structural possibilities are unprecedented, creating more design space or freedom. The weight is the crux, structural spans are more often and better possible. So this offers plenty of opportunities for building additions. You also need less steel with steel frame construction to achieve the same result. In fact, you're talking about an aspect like durability. But the construction time is also shorter on average because the process is logistically smarter."

According to Van Hoorn, the concept of steel frame construction is not yet as well known in the Netherlands as it could be. "It is now being asked about it more and more. We have - I think - become a bit more curious. If it were up to me, that would accelerate."

Networking meetings

Van Hoorn says that a large networking meeting now takes place once a year at the National Steel Construction Day. The committee also regularly plans company visits to project sites. "And, we communicate several times a year through our digital newsletters, in which we share knowledge and tell about what we have achieved within and with the platform. We also seek contact with education. After all, everything starts with the basics!"

Still, there are important steps to take. "Our share within the Building with Steel Foundation can and must increase. In addition, I hope that within three years we will have much more of our own position as a steel frame committee and will no longer be a by-product of the national network day. As far as I am concerned, for example, a special steel frame day could be organized in the spring. That's something I will work for."

When Van Hoorn is asked about the lobby in The Hague as well as what his request would be to the future Minister of Housing, he is also clear: "There must be a more holistic view of building as a whole. I hope there will be a minister who understands how the process of building and architecture as a whole works. After all, partly in view of the housing task we have in the Netherlands, there are opportunities. I said it before: I am thinking of making it easier to top up. We must want to take advantage of these development possibilities and opportunities in order to meet the social housing challenge. Steel frame construction is the means to that end. On that point I see myself as an ambassador: making sure as much as possible that the right knowledge is applied in the market."

Taking a closer look at the concept: what is steel frame construction?

Steel frame construction represents a revolutionary approach within the construction world, valued for its speed, lightness and flexibility. This system, characterized by cold-formed steel profiles, offers structural advantages such as large clear spans and energy efficiency, ideal for both new construction and urban renewal projects. Distinct from steel frame construction, which requires a skeleton of hot-rolled sections, in steel frame construction the wall and floor elements themselves act as load-bearing components, leading to a unique combination of construction speed and strength.

Steel frame construction, considered an advanced form of "structural metal stud," offers more spatial and aesthetic possibilities compared to traditional methods due to its structure. The system is known for its resistance to external influences and offers greater design freedom. Because of its compatibility with other building systems, such as steel framing and wood framing, steel framed construction facilitates innovative structures that demonstrate the efficiency and versatility of modern construction techniques. This approach, which integrates the strengths of both wood frame and precast concrete, confirms steel frame construction as an increasingly leading technology in durable, fast and aesthetically pleasing construction.