Ten Brinke - News Reader

After the first week of 'The International Building Challenge 2022', the 20 students moved from Ten Brinke Hengelo to the Almelo site where they were given a word of welcome. It was followed by a presentation about Ten Brinke’s operations in the Netherlands and the company’s working methods. The students then got down to do some serious work on their assignments. The assignment involves redeveloping a piece of land with culturally significant buildings in Kamenerstrasse in Hamm, Germany.

A trip to a reference project in the field of transformation was arranged where the students could see the relationship between theory and practice. Colleagues from Ten Brinke Doetinchem are working hard on transforming the former Ringers factory in Alkmaar at the moment, a project exactly in line with the students’ assignments,

It gave these students a unique opportunity to view different phases of a transformation project. When the group arrived at the building site in Alkmaar, it was divided into two. Our colleagues than gave them a guided tour of the site.

On returning to Almelo, a buffet was ready and waiting, and we had a chat with the students about their experiences. The group was really enthusiastic about their day. Some of them for example, had never seen a metal stud wall or floating floor. 'Oh, so that's how it works', they said.

The rest of the week, the students worked hard to complete the assignment, helped by the practical experience they’d acquired. They concluded the week with a presentation at Saxion, where various colleagues from Ten Brinke were present.

The project
Ringers Cocoa and Chocolate Factory was built in phases between 1920 and 1965 by the Ringers family from Alkmaar. Chocolate products were produced here until 1973, including the renowned cherry bonbons.

The former chocolate factory and surrounding area will be transformed into 73 sustainable flats, with living areas ranging from approximately 65 m² to 217 m², and spacious outdoor areas.

The historical and characteristic elements of the 100-year-old Ringers factory have been carefully preserved where possible. These include unusually high ceilings, large windows, plenty of industrial heritage, and a view over the Ringersplein and the Noordhollandsch Kanaal. The project consists of four unique construction parts, and its progress can be viewed here.