Administrative Centre in Bonheiden, Antwerp, Belgium

January 27, 2011 Category: Education, Public Buildings

Designed by VBM Architecten, Hallam University Building is located in Sheffield, United Kingdom . The two buildings are organised around a central square next to the existing cultural centre. In opposition to that centre, they appear as smooth volumes, covered with an articulated and semitransparent skin of pivoting mesh panels – open buildings, clearly readable for every visitor. The building of the administrative centre tries to push the concept of durability as far as possible.

All technical equipment is recessed in access floors. The same type of construction will be used for the library (phase 2, completion 2007 – 2008). Pluvial water from the roof is stored in concrete tanks in the basement, from where it is recycled for toilet flushing, as fire fighting water, and as a source of cooling in the summer. Hot water is provided by solar panels in the glass shed roof of the central atrium. Auxiliary electric power is generated by photovoltaic cells. A fine tuned system of free cooling and night cooling allows affordable thermal comfort in the summer combined with very low power consumption.

Administrative Centre design by VBM Architecten