Our clients asked if we wanted to build it too.
The step from structural timber engineer to engineer that does the assembly too
In recent years, Hamlet has proven its qualities as a specialized structural timber engineers. The specialist structural engineering team now works on over 60,000m2 of timber building projects.
At the request of clients, a subsidiary company has now been set up under the name Hamlet TTC that focuses entirely on the assembly of CLT and glulam buildings, with an emphasis on high rise and residential buildings.
Hamlet founder Hans Lormans answers some questions about this new phase of the business.
How logical is it for a specialized structural engineer to also start a construction company?
"From the beginning, our structural engineers have been designing according to the principles of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly. This means that throughout the design process, we already take into account the most efficient possible production, logistics and assembly of the wooden structure. Moreover, we design the shell in such a way that it can, in principle, be built without scaffolding. To put that into practice properly on the building site, you need a team that understands how that works and with extensive experience.
Our clients then encouraged us to also start a specialized assembly company. This is in line with the trend of chain integration that has been going on in the construction industry for some time, where contractors have also begun to fill the role of developer and developers have employed their own architects. There are also developers who have started their own construction companies. Everything is focused on a streamlined and efficient process. Less noise, fewer errors due to miscommunication, no wasted time and therefore lower costs. So it is not so strange that we as structural timber engineers started with a specialized assembly company."
You have in-depth knowledge about wood structures. But how do you provide the right expertise on the construction site?
It is no secret that we have a kind of champions league team principle; we get the best people from everywhere. CLT construction expertise is still relatively limited in the Netherlands. Whereas in Austria, Switzerland and Italy, for example, specialized education has been available for more than twenty years. This gives us an edge on all fronts. So we are not going to invent the wheel at the construction company either. For example, for the past ten years our chief timber errector has been assembling CLT strcutures full time in the U.K.. The most amazing buildings. That experience and knowledge is now also part of our team. That gives our customers the assurance that we deliver high quality.
So you have your own timber construction team?
Yes, the foundation for that has been laid and we are going to expand that even further. And there is an active collaboration between our structural engineers and the timber builders who ultimately assemble the structure. That is a great positive dynamic that is very stimulating for everyone.
So what have you built?
Recently, we built ten three-story single family homes. We finished five days ahead of schedule. Also not unimportant; there were zero, so no delivery points at all. That shows the quality of our integrated working method.
In early 2024, we will start work on The Timber Lion in Amsterdam. That is a five-story building with 53 apartments.
After that, another project in Amsterdam is planned and we are warming up to the first of in total five towers in Heerhugowaard.
Do you only build projects that are also designed by Hamlet?
Hamlet TTC is an independent company and can decide for whom to work. So our timber construction team also assembles structures that we did not design ourselves.
So if a general contractor or timber company needs a specialist timber construction team, they can contact you?
Yes indeed, we are ready and will bring our fully equipped material container if required. We can take care of all your needs.
Where does the wood you use come from?
We work with various CLT manufacturers that we also visit regularly, because not every manufacturer can do the same thing. Per project or even per project component, we look at who it suits best based on production facilities, logistics, capacity and planning. The fact that we are not dependent on one factory benefits pricing and flexibility, which in turn benefits our clients.