We recently paid a visit to our client, Buitenplaats Doornburgh, to explore how they incorporate Bold into their daily operations.

The history of Buitenplaats Doornburgh dates back to 1623. In the 17th century, the allure of nature and relaxation lured wealthy Amsterdam families to escape the crowded city and retreat to the picturesque country estates alongside the Vecht. Out of the 200 estates that once lined the Vecht, 82 have endured to this day, including Buitenplaats Doornburgh in Maarssen.

In the late 1950s, the estate welcomed the ‘Reguliere Kanunnikessen van het Heilig Graf,’ a monastic order established in 1114. The nuns commissioned the construction of a spacious, modern convent situated at the heart of the estate.

In 2017, the remaining sisters departed from the buitenplaats, marking the transfer of ownership to the MeyerBergman Erfgoed Groep. Since then, the estate has been utilised for a multitude of purposes, including weddings, flexible workspaces, and film productions. This diverse array of events has attracted a wide-ranging audience to the venue. Our visit aimed to delve into the complexity of managing an event venue like Buitenplaats Doornburgh and discuss the challenges that come with it. 

 

What was your biggest challenge in managing the location?

Evert Jan Aarts, Exploitation Manager, says: "We encountered a unique challenge—our monastery's locks are distinct and can't be easily duplicated. While I hesitate to call it a 'key problem,' the complexity of these coded keys meant that every time new ones were needed, we had to address the issue again."

In addition to the special keys, there's a steady flow of people: visitors, suppliers, and delivery personnel. Post-pandemic, we repurposed parts of the monastery into flexible workspaces.

Evert Jan continues: "After the pandemic, we began leasing out the former bedrooms of the sisters, totaling around 25 rooms on the first floor. People regularly walk through the building during the day, so we wanted our tenants to feel assured about the security of their belongings, even if they occasionally forget to lock their doors. That’s why we wanted to implement additional security measures, particularly at our main entrance."

Why did Bold stand out for you?

During a team meeting, the topic of smart locks quickly emerged. Although there were initially some doubts due to its digital nature, after a brief investigation, the team decided to go ahead with implementing smart locks. Evert Jan elaborates on the decision-making process: "We swiftly chose Bold for two main reasons: its user-friendly interface and affordability. While there are other smart lock brands available, none offer the same value proposition. You'd be hard-pressed to find comparable features for just 250 euros."

He continued: "We've fully leveraged all the options provided by Bold. Currently, we have two locks installed—one at the main entrance and another at the access door to the upstairs offices. We've also configured different access groups, granting specific individuals access to one door while restricting entry to others. Naturally, tenants of the office spaces have access to both locks within designated time slots, typically from 8 in the morning until 10 in the evening. As the administrator, I also use the feature to unlock the door remotely. If someone arrives at the door while I'm at home, I can effortlessly grant them access from wherever I am."

 

A Bold Experience: what do people think about Bold Smart Lock?

At Buitenplaats Doornburgh, adding users to a lock is now seamlessly woven into the onboarding process. "When a new tenant joins us, we send them a welcoming document. Within this document, they submit their email address, which enables me to create their account. I outline our operating hours and provide clear instructions on using the smart lock: when they're at the lock, they simply need to open the app and press the button to unlock the door."

New users are embracing the smart lock system with enthusiasm. Evert Jan explains: "Absolutely, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. We're witnessing a growing trend. It's no longer limited to hotels or large office complexes with access cards, such as hospitals or other institutions. It's becoming increasingly standard for people."

A tip from Evert Jan

We asked Evert Jan for a tip for our readers, and he gave a short answer: "Well, it's very simple. Don't hesitate, just do it! It's so easy."