René Vanderhaegen — Bouwen aan WTC III

Summary

Rener van der Rij reflects on his 25-year career in the construction industry, beginning with his father's influence in the field. He discusses working through various challenges, including the 1970s crisis, and the impact of external projects like building hospitals in Algeria. Rener shares insights into the evolving nature of construction, including challenges in budgeting, worker coordination, and dealing with specialized tasks like concrete formwork. He also reflects on the life cycle of buildings, noting that many projects he worked on are now outdated or repurposed. Despite changes, he expresses pride in his work and its lasting impact.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rener Van der Rij, the speaker, is the son of Eugen Van de Reen, who worked in the construction industry from a young age and later became a key figure in the construction company Batim.
• 😀 Rener's career spanned 25 years in the construction industry, working with companies like Interbuild, despite facing challenging economic times, including the crisis of the late 1970s.
• 😀 The construction industry experienced significant fluctuations, with periods of growth and crisis, which affected the workforce and project opportunities.
• 😀 Many workers involved in the construction of the WTC 3 were from Belgium, with a significant number of Italian workers who had transitioned from mining work to construction.
• 😀 The Italian workers were specialized in underground tasks such as supporting mines and later transitioned to more specialized construction roles, including building foundations.
• 😀 The project of constructing hospitals in Algeria in the 1970s was mentioned as a key international effort by Belgian firms, during a time when there was little work in Belgium due to the economic crisis.
• 😀 The workers involved in complex construction projects, such as the WTC, needed to perform tasks that required both skilled labor and precise coordination to ensure continuous progress and minimize costly delays.
• 😀 Workers were well-compensated, often working 12-hour days with significant overtime, though some challenges in keeping workers content were highlighted.
• 😀 Rener emphasized the importance of maintaining good communication and relationships with workers, stressing the need for a grounded approach and mutual respect between management and the labor force.
• 😀 Many buildings from the 1970s and 80s in the Northwijk area of Brussels, which Rener had worked on, are either demolished or vacant today, due to changes in demand, outdated designs, and evolving architectural needs.
• 😀 Buildings that were poorly designed in terms of space utilization have become inefficient, as modern office space standards now prioritize a higher ratio of square meters per person, leading to the abandonment of older, poorly designed buildings.

Q & A

What influenced your decision to enter the construction industry?

The decision was influenced by my father, Eugen van der Reen, who worked in construction from a young age and eventually became the head WF leader at Bat. I chose to follow in his footsteps and began my career in the same industry.

What were some of the major challenges in the construction industry during the late 1970s?

The late 1970s were marked by a severe crisis in the construction industry, leading to periods of very little work and many challenges, especially in Belgium. However, during this time, workers sought opportunities abroad, such as in Algeria, to continue building projects like hospitals.

Can you describe the role of Italian workers in the construction of the WTC?

Italian workers played a significant role in the construction of the WTC, especially in the foundation work. Many of them came from the mines and were retrained to perform specialized tasks, such as constructing deep foundations and supporting structures.

Why were Italian workers commonly employed in these construction projects?

Italian workers were often employed because they were typically less formally educated but had the necessary skills for specialized tasks. Many came from mining backgrounds and were retrained to handle the technical aspects of construction.

What were some of the technical aspects involved in the construction of foundations and structures?

The construction of foundations involved tasks like making trenches in the ground, supporting them, and ensuring stability. The workers, especially those retrained from mining, had specialized knowledge in supporting deep structures.

How did the construction industry adapt to crises and periods with little work?

During crises, the industry adapted by seeking opportunities abroad, such as in Algeria, where large-scale projects like hospital constructions were undertaken. This allowed workers to continue working and companies to stay afloat during difficult times.

What role did coordination play in the construction process, especially with complex tasks?

Coordination was crucial in construction, especially with complex tasks like formwork (bekisting). Preparations had to be meticulously planned, and everything needed to be in place so that work could proceed without delays. Good coordination ensured projects ran smoothly without stoppages.

What were some of the challenges when budgeting and estimating work for construction projects?

In earlier years, there was a focus on detailed budgeting, including estimating the number of hours needed for tasks like formwork. Today, budgeting is often more generalized, but it is still important to balance costs with labor efficiency, especially when deciding between using expensive or traditional methods.

How do you view the evolution of construction methods and buildings over time?

I view the evolution of construction positively. While many buildings from the past have been demolished or are now vacant, the materials, techniques, and designs have evolved significantly. Modern standards focus more on efficiency and adaptability to current needs, such as reducing the amount of space per person.

What is your perspective on the demolition or renovation of old buildings?

I don't feel sentimental about the demolition or renovation of older buildings. After 30 years, techniques and materials change, and buildings often need to be adapted or replaced to meet new standards. It's a natural part of the industry's evolution.