Text details provided by architects. Grand vision of the customer: A major socio-economic and cultural actor. Administration of province Nominal Center for all its services in a new building, “Map,” built in salinity. By installing itself with the outskirts and the Sambare River instead of the location of a highly visible city, the Namur province takes a stand that reflects the vision of its role, both strong and thoughtful. The tender specifications for the “Design and Build” project require exceptionally high environmental standards including Breeam certification. These requirements were obtained at the “outstanding” level with a score of 93.53%.
The building is a large rectangle that measures 106.2 meters to 61.65 meters and is held at two levels around the eight rectangular courtyard. This layout ensures natural light and ventilation throughout the interior, thanks to 74 natural-draft chimney on the roof. The building is completely made of wood, with two levels of height of 3.6 meters, which rest on the stilts and a network of hot-dype galvanized steel beams. In four fronts, there is a cool option of pierce and windows from floor to roof. The active participation of all stakeholders (including general contractor) from the architect’s collaborative approach and the initial design phase provided the facility of achieving innovative proposals, as long as they were inspired by permanent and rational construction principles.
The map provides a particularly comfortable environment for both body and brain: *abundant natural light due to high ceiling (3 m) and narrow floor plates (8.10 m and 12.15 m). *Extraordinary air quality obtained through a natural ventilation system that combines the adjustable ceiling chimney with window ventilator. *Thanks to controlled sounds, cellulose-based roof insulation and a balanced mix of heavy and light materials in wooden floors. *Easy access to pedestrians and cyclists, including a new external lift connecting the existing bridge on the nearby railway line. *An important part of the surrounding garden is dedicated to vegetable cultivation, partially managed by a concession enterprise and map employees. Liberal natural light, LED lighting and natural ventilation system greatly reduces energy needs. A deep geotomic heating and cooling system with roof solar panels provides the required energy. Water consumption is minimized through the use of low-flow sanitary fixtures and leak monitoring systems. Rainwater is completely collected and reused for irrigation of toilets, external fountains and green places. Excess rainwater is infiltrated into a wadi and a pond, which increases and structures the garden.
Re-purposable and recycled materials, flexibility measures, modularity, material efficiency strategies, and durable, localized, locally used to use the project were integral for the design of the project: *Stilt hot-dip galvanized steel, who raise the building to protect the potential snakes from floods. *Structure (load-bearing pierce, floor and ceiling) is fully formed from local softwood (solid wooden box system and robot-rented OSB panel). *The forearm cladding (pierce and lintels) is made of wooden wood, a low-value local wood is provided highly durable through thermal treatment. *External joinry is fitted with clear double glazing, easily recycled due to the absence of filtering layers. *External stairs and canopy are made of thin profiles and perforated galvanized steel panels, designed for maximum material efficiency. *Acoustic absorption on the floor is obtained using cellulose insulation. *The raised floor is covered with oak roof and naturally stunned linoleum.
The strict modularity of the building ensures physical sphere, decrease in waste and future adaptation to climate and functional changes. In addition, the general contractor took a highly responsible approach to the construction waste management, beating more than 95% of the waste from the landfill.
