Construction workers at a height of 81 meters in chimneys of Strijp-T Eindhoven.
The two chimneys at the former power plant of Philips (now Innovation Powerhouse) in Strijp-T in Eindhoven are being restored. © Michel Theeuwen
EINDHOVEN - Two factory chimneys, 81 meters high, are not very common in the Netherlands anymore. In fact, these are the tallest ones. All the more reason for GEVA BV to have TQQ1 and TQQ2 on Strijp-T in Eindhoven restored.
Michel Theeuwen 11-06-19, 12:24 Source: ED
"The restoration is actually purely for show, because we obviously no longer use the chimneys from 1948 and 1953," says Boudie Hoogedeure of GEVA BV at the foot of the impressive brick buildings. They are located behind the Innovation Powerhouse, the former TR energy plant of Philips on Strijp-T at the Beukenlaan/Zwaanstraat. Where coal (and later gas) used to be burned, innovative companies are now located. "We are not renting out any additional square meters because of this, but we want to preserve the authentic character of Strijp-T." Hoogedeure does not want to disclose the exact costs of the restoration.
Restoration of the chimney Innovation Powerhouse Eindhoven © Dave Hendriks - Photo Meulenhof
Restoration of the chimney at Innovation Powerhouse Eindhoven © Dave Hendriks - Photo Meulenhof
And so, the Factory Chimney Company Frans Eyckmans and Sons from Belgium was hired, one of the few specialized contractors. Strijp-T is also a major project for this company. They have been working on the first chimney since November, and since this week they have started on the second one. It should be completed by October, although wind and rain have already caused delays.
The two chimneys at the former power plant of Philips (now Innovation Powerhouse) in Strijp-T in Eindhoven are being restored. © Michel Theeuwen
The top meters of masonry - where the shaft is about 2.5 meters in diameter - were in such poor condition that they had to be replaced. "We had these special, slightly thicker stones still in stock," says Luc Van Gemert from Eyckmans. Masonry is an art in itself: round and tapering towards the top.
The two chimneys at the former power plant of Philips (now Innovation Powerhouse) in Strijp-T in Eindhoven are being restored. © Michel Theeuwen
The two chimneys at the former power plant of Philips (now Innovation Powerhouse) in Strijp-T in Eindhoven are being restored. © Michel Theeuwen
The rest of the towers will largely be re-pointed. And all the steel bands holding the masonry together will be refurbished or replaced. The first chimney TQQ1 is almost ready. However, a new lightning rod will be installed because the previous one was stolen. This incident was actually quite dangerous, as the climbing irons used by the thieves to climb up are in such poor condition that they need to be replaced.
This also explains why a crane is now being used at TQQ2, until a small cage for one person can be lifted up by a winch. "Normally, we first climb up using crampons and set up a small winch. With that, the initial materials are lifted up, and that's how we build up. But that wasn't possible here," said Van Gemert.
Wesley Van Loy and Luc Van Gemert from the factory chimney company Frans Eyckmans en Zonen from Westerlo (Belgium) are working on the renovation of the two chimneys at Strijp-T in Eindhoven. © Michel Theeuwen
Above, two scaffolds are being built, but the real work is done in a kind of glass-washing basket hanging from steel cables. A scary situation? "No, not at all, for me it feels the same as if I were standing on the ground here," says mason Wesley Van Loy. "The first time is wow, spectacular, but you get used to it. Up there, you're just working, although we are always secured to a steel cable," Van Loy added.
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