Detentiecentrum, Alphen aan den Rijn, NL

The largest detention centre in the Netherlands to date was built in Alphen aan den Rijn from 2005 to summer 2007. The general contractor – Bouwcombinatie van Wijnen Timmers – commissioned HERING to supply the exterior façade for the five building complexes and the surrounding boundary wall.

HERING was responsible for planning, producing, supplying and installing the 852 prefabricated sandwich elements with an area of 17,200 square metres in total. The elements consist of a combination of black washed and smoothly formed concrete frames and a white concrete façade, which was also smoothly formed. The smooth white elements stand out for the sometimes bamboo-like matrix structure.