The Edge and Lightyards in Eindhoven
Important Information
Project Name: Development of The Edge and Lightyards in Eindhoven
Date: Project start 2015
Client:
- Development of EDGE: Edge Technologies | Construction by Bouwbedrijf Jongen and Van de Ven Bouw en Vastgoed
- Development of Lightyards: AM | Construction by BAM
Location: Next to the Central Station in downtown in Eindhoven
Scope: Two Buildings
Project Summary
Living, working, and recreation come together at a unique location next to the Central Station in the vibrant heart of Eindhoven. Here, a dynamic urban development is taking shape, where the ambitions of the Municipality of Eindhoven, ProRail, and project developers Edge Technologies and AM converge. Under the leadership of Edge Technologies, an innovative and sustainable office building, The EDGE, is rising, boasting an impressive 25,000 m² of space. Adjacent to this smart office, a 70-meter-high residential tower is being constructed, featuring 175 luxury rental apartments. Both buildings are connected by a green oasis.
Urban developer AM plays a key role in the realization of the residential buildings Highlight and Lumen, part of the Lightyards development. Together with the adjacent EDGE project, these developments form a larger whole. Lightyards offers modern and future-proof housing for both renters and owners, combined with a centrally located, sustainable workplace. Accessibility, a green living environment, community, and connection are central themes here.
SOCOTEC Geotechnics and MOS Grondmechanica, both part of SOCOTEC, are closely involved in the development of EDGE and Lightyards. For EDGE, MOS Grondmechanica provided geotechnical consultancy for the foundation and dewatering. SOCOTEC Geotechnics provided geotechnical recommendations for the foundations and excavation pit of Lightyards.
Project Description
The locations of both EDGE and Lightyards present complex challenges. On one hand, due to their proximity to the station and the Dommel, and on the other hand, because of the two-level underground parking garages being constructed. Crucial factors such as vibrations, groundwater, noise, soil deformation, and safety play a major role in this development.
To create a six-meter-deep excavation for the parking garages, an innovative retaining wall was chosen. A sheet pile wall, pre-drilled with bentonite, minimizes vibrations and reduces disturbances to the surrounding area. Additional precautions were required for potential unexploded ordnance from World War II.
MOS Grondmechanica provided dewatering and foundation recommendations during the design phase of Edge. Based on soil investigation and the load distribution from the buildings, a stiffness analysis of the soil in relation to the pile foundation was carried out to further develop the piled raft foundation. Additionally, an optimal dewatering plan was provided to efficiently manage groundwater during the construction of the underground parking facility.
For Lightyards, SOCOTEC Geotechnics, commissioned by AM, provided geotechnical recommendations. This began with geotechnical and laboratory research, including cone penetration tests and boreholes. These fast and reliable techniques provided crucial insights into the composition and load-bearing capacity of the soil. Based on this research, recommendations were made on how to execute the excavation and foundation with minimal environmental impact.
“With our advanced equipment, we were able to map soil behavior with extreme precision,” says Rudi de Koning, a specialist in excavations, construction sites, and groundwater management. He has been involved in this project for a long time and follows it with great enthusiasm. “It is fantastic to see these ambitious projects come to life, and that we, both from SOCOTEC Geotechnics and MOS Grondmechanica, are making a crucial contribution in the field of geotechnical research and consultancy.”
