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Working on the most complex installations while studying

Working on the most complex installations while studying

Designing the installations of a sports hall. Exactly what does this involve? Iv-Bouw has built up a considerable track record in sports halls. And yet, it is certainly not routine work. Every building is different and, of course, has its unique requirements and characteristics. Furthermore, the multifunctional character of a sports hall involves the necessary complexities. Applying the installations correctly requires specific knowledge of electrical engineering and mechanical engineering, sports technical requirements, creativity and, in some cases, also structural knowledge. “Fortunately, we have all this under one roof at Iv-Bouw,” says Shannon, Engineer at Iv-Bouw.

Fully electric and multifunctional

Schoter Sports Hall is one of the sports halls for which Iv-Bouw, as EPC partner, provided the technical installation design. Iv-Bouw, as the risk-bearing party, designed the building installations and was responsible for the purchasing and delivery thereof. Schoter Sports Hall will be a fully electric sports hall offering space for top-class sport volleyball, education, and a variety of other sports. The multifunctional nature of the sports hall means that the project contains multiple conflicting guidelines. The varying requirements characterise the diverse purposes for which the sports hall will be used. For example, the incorporation of daylight and the placement of lighting affects the various sports options differently than the educational uses. The concept to be developed needed to substantiate all these varying facets.
 

From doctor to engineer

Of the projects that Shannon has worked on, she is particularly proud of the Schoter Sports Hall project. This is the project with which Shannon graduated last September. “Why did I choose a technical study? After obtaining my high school diploma, I initially registered to join an introductory day for studying medicine; a completely different direction. But in a way, I see a similarity between a doctor and an engineer. Both aspire to solve a problem. And I eventually found that ‘solving’ in technology. I’m still glad I made this choice. I really enjoy contributing to devising technical solutions for Iv-Bouw’s projects!”
 

Disturbance due to coronavirus

Finding a suitable solution for the conflicting guidelines of the sports hall was, therefore, one of the challenges within this project. But the budget also proved to be a challenge. For example, Shannon explains: “Obviously, the aim is always to deliver a project within the allocated budget. This was achieved electrically, but not entirely mechanically, partly due to the arrival of corona. When the tender and, therefore, the budget was submitted, coronavirus had not yet made an appearance. However, the virus shook the market a little while later, and delivery times and purchase prices were impacted. This was a real nuisance, but it also presented a nice challenge for our work; it required even more creativity in the selection and design of the installations.”
 

Playful discovery

Shannon was involved in the entire project to develop the building installations for this fully electric and future proof sports hall: from the preliminary design to the implementation ready design. She was present at the end of September when the highest point of the construction was reached: “It’s so great to witness the realisation of a project. Not only does it make me proud, but we really learn a lot from this at Iv. I’m also looking forward to taking a look in the technical room.” Shannon successfully completed her higher professional education in Mechanical Engineering last year with the Schoter Sports Hall project. “In addition to a nice closure to my studies, my graduation project was also an effective way to ‘playfully’ discover the workplace. So, when I was offered the opportunity to work for Iv following my graduation, I grabbed it with both hands. I’m just really enjoying myself here; the projects are challenging, but especially the open atmosphere and experienced colleagues make me feel completely at home.”
 

A combination of knowledge and practice

Shannon has been working as an engineer at Iv-Bouw for over a year and recently began the part-time higher professional study Applied Science (Mechanical Engineering). Iv considers continuous personal development vital and strives to offer its employees as much space as possible to do this. “My ambition is to develop myself to become a project leader eventually. It’s very nice that Iv gives me the space to continue my development and facilitates this process. Because I can follow my higher professional study part-time, I can enrich my knowledge while applying the theory from the study in practice. The course fits in well with my daily work. Combining a 36 hour working week with a higher professional study is sometimes quite tough, but it makes the theory much more concrete and my supervisor and colleagues support me well in this,” says Shannon. “Alongside my course, I also learn a lot from my colleagues. Because they too receive a lot of freedom to enrich their development. Continuous development is necessary because our field of expertise is continuously progressing. This way, the work remains challenging, and we never stop learning.”

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