EDGE and Lightyards Eindhoven

Project Summary

The development of EDGE and Lightyards brings together living, working, and recreational spaces in a truly unique location next to the Central Station in Eindhoven's vibrant city center. This inspiring project sees the ambitions of the City of Eindhoven, ProRail, and the developers Edge Technologies and AM come together, shaping a future-focused, sustainable environment.

At the forefront of this development, Edge Technologies is leading the creation of an innovative office building, the EDGE, covering an impressive 25,000 m². In addition to this state-of-the-art office space, a 70-meter-high residential tower is being constructed, featuring 175 luxury rental apartments in the private sector. The two buildings will be seamlessly connected by a green, tranquil oasis.

AM, the area developer, plays a pivotal role in the realization of the residential buildings Highlight and Lumen, which are part of the broader Lightyards area development. Together with the adjacent EDGE project, these developments form a cohesive, integrated whole. Lightyards offers a contemporary and future-proof housing solution for both tenants and buyers, complemented by a centrally located, sustainable workspace. Accessibility, green living, social interaction, and connection are key principles underpinning this development.

Collaborative Expertise in Geotechnical Engineering

SOCOTEC Geotechnics and MOS Grondmechanica, both subsidiaries of SOCOTEC, have played significant roles in the development of EDGE and Lightyards projects. MOS Grondmechanica provided crucial geotechnical consultation for EDGE's foundation and excavation dewatering processes. Meanwhile, SOCOTEC Geotechnics offered expert guidance on the excavation and foundation implementation for the Lightyards project.

Project Description

The locations of both EDGE and Lightyards come with their own set of complex challenges. These include their proximity to Central Station and the Dommel River, as well as the construction of two-story underground parking garages beneath both buildings. Critical factors such as vibrations, groundwater, noise, soil deformation, and safety all needed to be carefully managed throughout the development process.

To construct a six-meter-deep excavation for the parking garages, an innovative soil retention structure was designed. A diaphragm wall, pre-drilled with bentonite, minimizes vibrations and reduces disruption to the surrounding environment. Special care was taken to address potential risks related to unexploded WWII ordnance in the area.

During the design phase, MOS Grondmechanica provided comprehensive dewatering and foundation advice for EDGE. Based on soil studies and building load assessments, a detailed analysis was conducted to evaluate the stiffness of the subsoil in relation to the pile foundation, helping to refine the pile/slab foundation design. Additionally, the dewatering process was optimized to manage groundwater efficiently during the construction of the underground parking facility.

For Lightyards, SOCOTEC Geotechnics, commissioned by AM, developed a geotechnical report that included extensive field and laboratory testing, such as soundings and drilling. These fast, reliable techniques provided critical insights into the subsoil composition and its load-bearing capacity. Based on this information, SOCOTEC was able to offer advice on how to implement the excavation and foundation work with minimal impact on the surrounding area.