Theresiakerk

Background

Background Pharmacist and project developer Erik Mijnhardt bought the Theresiakerk church from the Archdiocese of Utrecht in 2016. He envisoned a new social function for the iconic church building: a health care centre where 21 independent care providers can practice. To achieve this, the church, which was inaugurated in 1935, had to be completely redesigned, which would be led in collaboration with Cor Engberink, project manager of Key2-Bouwmanagement, and with the help of a coalition of mainly regional companies. Architectural firm Reitsema & Partners took care of the design. The exterior of the church has remained virtually unchanged, except for the addition of an extension in the same style. Inside, an extra floor had been built along the walls, while retaining the original character. Even a pew and the baptismal font had been preserved, with permission of the diocese.

The installation work was awarded to installation contractor Vehof, who, in collaboration with elektrotechnische groothandel Oosterberg and Eaton took on this unique and ambitious project. “The electrical installation has been completely rebuilt. The only thing that has been preserved is the main power connection,” says Perry Faulhaber. In consultation with Eaton, Vehof opted, among other things, for the xComfort wireless building automation system.

“The wireless system offers advantages in almost all applications, but certainly in such a unique building as this. You can’t imagine having to wire all the switches here. Thanks to Eaton’s xComfort you can control everything remotely and wirelessly: lighting, equipment and for example the video door entry system. In addition, you can easily move switches or add switch points and functions afterwards. Even if new workspaces are added, you can easily connect them in the same way.” 

Challenge

Perry continued, “Everything we do and install must be neatly concealed. There is a lot of technology in the church, but most of it takes place behind the scenes. This is necessary, because for users only convenience is of interest. But when you would have a look in the technical room next to the church or under the roof, you would get a good impression. Above the vaults under the roof of the church, for example, the air treatment is mounted and there are large quantities of cables. The advantage of the polystyrene walls with which the workspaces are built is that you can melt the slots for supplying lighting and equipment using heat. This works quickly and very neatly. 

Solution

The Eaton xComfort was chosen because it eliminates the need to install miles of cable, and because it’s a flexible, user-friendly system that makes adaptation and expansion very easy. Vehof employees have also been trained by Eaton to install and manage the system properly. When construction was well underway, testing was also carried out as it is a very high space with all kinds of arch constructions but with more than 40 years of experience in electrical engineering, it was quickly realised that the team were very capable. In addition to the home automation system, Eaton also supplied all of the emergency lighting (Crystalway) and the complete fire safety system (CF1200). Crystalway is the newest top design LED luminaire and was partly chosen for the transparent frame. As a result, the emergency lighting fits nicely into the environment. The luminaires are usually almost invisible in the design of the church, but are clearly present for those moments when it is most needed. The fire safety system CF1200 has been selected in collaboration with Aras Security, partly due to the large number of detectors and beamers that are supported, the refined functionality and the simple operation. The attractive design fits in well with the design of the church. Also the switch installation for the entire building is that of Eaton. 

Results

In less than a year the new interior of the church was completed, an extension was added and the complete water and electricity installation was redesigned. Calculation and engineering of the installation started at the end of 2016, installation contractor Vehof started work in June 2017, and the entire installation was completed by the end of November that same year. A conscious choice was made for sustainable solutions, including a heat pump installation and LED lighting. In a prefabricated garage box at the back of the church, the entire technical room was set up despite the very limited floor space. “It took a long time to fit and measure”, says Perry Faulhaber.

“I have been working with Eaton for a long time,” Perry continues, {but} “when we need each other, we always know where to find one another. Eaton is a large organisation, but the lines are short. Everyone is very accessible and the contacts are personal. For a special job like this, I know that I can rely on the advice, expertise and support of Eaton.”

Everyone is pleased with the project. Owner Erik Mijnhardt is enthusiastic, just like the 21 care providers who now have a practice at this unique location. Amongst others, family doctors, physical therapists and many others have a hub in health care center De Poort van Borne. The former church has now regained a prominent place in the community of Borne and surroundings. The inhabitants of the municipality are also very pleased with the way in which the building has been preserved and has been given a new function.

Additionally, the complete refurbishment of the Theresiakerk received worldwide recognition at the end of 2018 and was awarded a second prize at the prestigious Archmarathon Awards in the healthcare & hospitals category, finishing up just behind a hospital in Bogota, Colombia.