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Client(s)DCA nv, Belfius Immo nv
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Construction siteBoom
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Project architectThomas Cornelis
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Architect teamSebastien Delagrange, Philippe De Pauw, Laure Denis, Guy Mertens, Behzad Talebi
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Partner(s)IBIC bvba
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Main contractorDCA nv
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Year2017-
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StatusIn progress
Brig is a unique housing project on the Rupel in Boom. The project comprises four residential buildings with a total of 97 apartments. The housing project was developed at a former shipyard owned by the municipality after all activities were discontinued and the dikes along the Rupel were raised.
So it was important to select a generous design that would create a balance between public and private domains with the utmost respect for the original public space and in harmony with the privacy of the apartments. This was possible thanks to the atypical site in the shape of a four-leaf clover. Justice is done to this distinct configuration as the end point of the quay buildings. Thanks to the special shape, each apartment also offers unique views of the Rupel, an asset not to be underestimated.
The Brig project is 100% sustainable. A site already in use was repurposed for parking instead of using new land. Public transport and the train station are close by, so mobility aspects have also been considered. Our design offers residents a power plant that produces electricity from hydrogen that is both unique to Flanders and a first in apartment construction. The plant fulfils nearly 80% of the electricity needs of the building and the power itself is 100% sustainable. Heat pumps have been installed in the apartments to produce hot water for sanitary use. For heating, condensing boilers are to be installed in a central furnace room.
The materials used are uncommon, including aluminium cladding painted in a shifting colour. Depending on the angle at which it is viewed, the colour takes on a more gold or green hue. The project did, however, present a number of structural challenges. The substrate is difficult to built on since the site is a former shipyard that was filled with construction materials. But the contractor has overcome such challenges by taking a sophisticated approach.
