Milestones in Cartesius - First mansonry robot high-rise & highest point reached for social housing

A world first for Utrecht! Alderman Eelco Eerenberg launched today in Utrecht the first worldwide masonry robot for high-rise buildings. This milestone was celebrated in combination with reaching of the highest point of building Okinawa in which 165 social housing units will be realized. Housing corporation Portaal also announced their priority to realize additional affordable housing in Baunei, the third phase in Cartesius.  In Baunei, 418 affordable rental homes with a Mixed Living concept will be realized. The Cartesius inner-city area development shows how new technology, and social responsibility can come together.

Highest point reached for Okinawa and 418 new affordable apartments in Baunei

The 165 social housing units are part of the second phase in Cartesius where a total of 770 new homes will be built to be completed in 2026.  Okinawa will feature a Mixed Living concept by Portaal. This is a form of housing in which residents with and without assisted living consciously choose to live together in an organized setting. The residents who need guidance are supported by De Tussenvoorziening and Abrona, to rejoin society.

 Sander Heinsman, director Wooncorporatie Portaal: “We are very happy that we have already reached the highest point of Okinawa with the first 165 social rental homes in Cartesius and that we, together with the consortium and the municipality of Utrecht, are prioritizing the realization of the next 418 new homes in the third phase Banei. Here we will realize 337 social rental homes and 81 homes suitable for middle rental. There will be two community rooms, housing for the elderly and a Mixed Living concept where we will also work together again with the Tussenvoorziening.”  Baunei is being developed by the Cartesius development consortium (MRP and Ballast Nedam Development), designed by the Architekten Cie. and built by Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling.

Mixed Housing is an indispensable form of housing to help focus groups such as tenants with assistance, tenants transitioning out of social care into their new home and living environment. Mixed Housing also meets the need of regular housing seekers to live in a neighbourhood where neighbours are involved with each other. Okinawa will have 36 homes for people with mental disabilities who receive 24-hour supervision from De Tussenvoorziening and Abrona, 24 homes for people leaving social care, and the remaining 105 homes are intended for regular social rental for people who want to be a good neighbour. The social relief centres house people who are (also) mentally disabled. For this group there are almost no places where they can get the guidance they need. Okinawa was developed by the Cartesius development consortium (MRP and Ballast Nedam Development), designed by EVA Architects and realization is in the hands of Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling.

Elderman Eelco Eerenberg launches the world’s first masonry robot for High-rise.

Okinawa partially bricked with the masonry robot for High-rise

The ROPAX 2.0 high-rise mansonry robot is a strong response to the shortage of skilled workers in the construction industry, especially on high-rise projects where precision and efficiency are crucial. Okinawa will be partially bricked by this robot. It is not a replacement for skilled workers, but provides a collaboration on the construction site, between man and machine: the machine provides fast, efficient and sustainable production, while the mason can continue to practice his or her craft. The fact that this robot not only works faster but is also significantly more sustainable by producing less mortar and stone waste, is in line with the need for environmentally conscious solutions in construction in Cartesius. The robot was developed by ROPAX and was further developed in collaboration with Heddes Bouw & Development, Ballast Nedam, and Laudy.

Eelco Eerenberg, Alderman of the Municipality of Utrecht: “We are very happy as a municipality that reaching the highest point of the first 165 social housing units in Okinawa shows how hard work is being done to address the housing shortage, especially for social housing in Utrecht. That the construction of 418 affordable homes in Baunei is also being accelerated is of course extra good news! The introduction of the masonry robot for high-rise buildings contributes to a more efficient, sustainable and safe construction sector. This fits perfectly with Utrecht's ambitions for sustainability and innovation.”

 The use of the masonry robot offers sustainable employability of the mason and is a sustainable solution that prevents waste of raw materials. Mortar is applied very precisely and dosed. For example, the robot uses 455 grams of mortar per brick where a traditional mason uses 1,000 grams. The masonry robot also produces up to 70% less stone waste. The ROPAX 2.0 masonry robot for high-rise projects and offers the following advantages:

·        Flexible brick track for greater working range.

·        More possibilities, such as bricklaying of recessed areas and working with gable supports.

·        Faster and more accurate through a combination of the latest software and mechanical adjustments.

·        Improved user-friendliness, such as faster digital profiling with templates and easier cleaning.

Cartesius – A Home for Life

Cartesius will be a new urban district in Utrecht and is located right next to the railway station. Over 3,000 homes will be built here, and biodiversity and sustainability are the basic conditions in an abundance of space between the various elements of the district. Space to live, work and relax together! Cartesius is not just a new neighbourhood; it is a blueprint for the city neighbourhood of the future where people live together longer healthy and happy lives. Here you can find the home that suits you, for now and in the future, a home for life.

In Cartesius Utrecht, the first Heart of Health area development in the region, the scientific theory of Blue Zones is being applied within the city for the first time. The eight pillars of the Cartesius concept are the carriers of the area development. Cartesius has been an international leader from the beginning. An important part of the urban district is the measurement of interventions to contribute to a healthy and sustainable living environment and ultimately physical and mental health for humans and animals with a greater contribution to the earth. This is done using the hardware and software: community, nature & biodiversity, exercise, relaxation & meaning, sustainability, mobility, environment and healthy food.

MRP and Ballast Nedam Development are developing Cartesius Utrecht in collaboration with the City of Utrecht and NS Stations. The urban plan and landscape architecture is by Mecanoo, and the various subareas are under architecture by Mecanoo, Paul de Ruiter Architects, EVA Architects and de Architekten Cie. The realization of phase 2 is in the hands of Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling (the CAB, Okinawa, the Parking Garage) and Ballast Nedam West (Nicoya).

Previous
Previous

Portaal housing corporation buys 418 homes in 'Baunei' subplan in Cartesius Utrecht

Next
Next

A happy and healthy 2025