GROUNDBREAKING CLT HIGH-RISE GETS SLIM BALCONIES FROM HI-CON

A balcony solution in UHPC that complements the timber structure of Urban Woods

BALCONIES IN ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE

In Delft, the Netherlands, a pioneering residential project is taking shape. The 10-storey building, the Urban Woods, is unlike any other. This is because its load-bearing structure is made entirely of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). Once completed, Urban Woods will also be the tallest building in the Netherlands without a concrete core.

The building will offer 102 modern homes, designed with sustainability, comfort, and community in mind. And despite the structural limitations of working with wood, residents won’t have to compromise on outdoor space. Thanks to innovative design choices, each apartment will feature roomy, durable balconies made in Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) from Hi-Con.

To bring the balcony concept to life, we’ve once again teamed up with Renovum and Pieters Bouwtechniek – a collaboration that also proved successful on the award-winning SAWA project in Rotterdam.

We’re excited to contribute to yet another forward-thinking CLT project in the Netherlands.

PROJECT DETAILS

For the Urban Woods project, Hi-Con is supplying 108 custom UHPC balcony units. These will be connected to the CLT structure using steel brackets and tension rods.

Originally, the balcony design was entirely steel-based. But Hi-Con Nederland, together with Renovum and Pieters Bouwtechniek, proposed UHPC as a smarter alternative. The switch comes with multiple advantages:

Lower maintenance
100+ year lifespan
Lower weight
Faster installation
Competitive costs

Renovum will be installing a special façade cladding around the balconies and handle the balustrades, balcony screens, and complete balcony installation.

The engineering process is nearly complete, and production of the first balcony units will start soon.

Architect: Urban Climate Architects

Contractor: The Urban Woods

Engineer: Pieters Bouwtechniek

Builder: The Urban Woods