Administrative house of the Province of Namur
- by Wendy Auteri
- /
- 2022-05-16 00:00:00
- /
- France
- /
- 1250 / FR
New Construction
- Building Type : Office building < 28m
- Construction Year : 2021
- Delivery year : 2021
- Address 1 - street : Rue Henri Bodart 5000 SALZINNES, Belgique
- Climate zone : [Cbc] Mild, dry winter, warm and wet summer.
- Net Floor Area : 10 133 m2
- Construction/refurbishment cost : 17 792 607 €
- Cost/m2 : 1755.91 €/m2
Proposed by :
Certifications :
-
Primary energy need :
115.92 kWhep/m2.an
(Calculation method : Other )
The client's grand design
As an important socio-economic and cultural player, the Administration of the Province of Namur groups together almost all of its services in a building to be constructed on its site in Salzinnes. By locating on the outskirts and on the banks of the Sambre rather than in a highly visible location in the city center, the Province of Namur is adopting a position that is both strong and sensitive, an expression of the vision it has of its role.
This location should constitute a pole of attraction on the scale of the city and allow the peripheral district to complement the center. It is therefore a question of creating a building capable of generating a deep affection for this new intellectual pole of Namur.
The image of a village heart, which reflects the rural character of the province and the symbiosis with nature, comes naturally to mind. It invites us to enjoy our five senses through art and culture.
The realization of the Administrative House of the Province of Namur (MAP) represents an important cost, not only financial but also environmental. The project thus aims to obtain the maximum of BREEAM credits while highlighting the limits of this approach, as well as the questions it raises. The project achieved a score of 93.53%, an 8.53 point margin above the "Outstanding" level.
Genius Loci
Located in the hollow of a meander of the Sambre River that surrounds it on its northwestern flank, the site of the new MAP is bordered to the northeast by the former Grand Séminaire, a masterful work of refined simplicity by Roger Bastin. Also to be noted to the southwest is the former Saint-Aubain School and to the southeast a group of 10-story housing blocks, a high-voltage power line, one of whose pylons partially encroaches on the site, and a secondary railway line giving access to the SNCB's Salzinnes Central Workshops.
The emphasis placed on urban agriculture in the tender specifications, in keeping with a centuries-old Namur tradition, brings an artistic and poetic dimension to the project. It leads to allocate the whole North-East part of the site, i.e. 3300 m², to gardens and vegetable growing activities, in continuity with the existing urban vegetable gardens. Botanical science and horticultural technology are combined here with the art of the garden, the vegetable garden, the orchard, the nursery, where forms, colors, smells, and flavors mingle with the singing of birds and the humming of insects, as well as with the play of light and shadow. Natural ventilation and lighting, plants and flowers, materials with the patina of time... everything in the project is part of this movement.
Implantation
The building forms a large rectangle of 106.2 m x 61.65 m. It is located as far as possible from the Sambre, outside the theoretical flood risk zones, at a good distance from the noise of the trains running along the other bank.
It is logically linked to the various possible access routes, whether it be Rue Henri Bodart to the east, the possible road to be created to the southwest along the Sambre, or the pedestrian bridge crossing the railroad tracks to the southeast.
Its location also provides the necessary breathing space for both the Grand Séminaire de Bastin and the buildings to the southwest.
The implantation according to the diagonal North-West / South-East allows an optimal orientation of the facades and the functions: the work and the carriage to the East, the reception and the protocol entrance to the South, the celebration to the West (with the village square used as a parking lot) and the dreaming or meditation spaces to the North.
The ensemble is thus naturally established, without unnecessary contortions, in the manner of a large farm or small village.
A village building organized around patios
Entirely built of wood and steel on two levels of 3.6 m high, the building is covered by a submerged roof serving as a water tower and topped by a photovoltaic sunshade.
The plan is organized around eight rectangular patios measuring 15.3 m x 11.25 m. Covered by opening greenhouse canopies, the patios bring fresh air into the building. Their white facades maximize the penetration of natural light, and the canopies open fully in the event of fire to transform the covered patios into outdoor spaces.
This plan layout allows for natural light and ventilation throughout the floors, allowing them to be used for a wide variety of programs or functions.
The limited two-level construction allows for fluid communication between all points of the building, thus promoting team spirit, the "New World of Work" and accessibility for PRM.
The first floor includes a friendly reception area, a cafeteria that can accommodate nearly 300 people, rooms for receiving visitors, a relaxation room and a sports room equipped with showers. A large workshop, storage areas and changing rooms for the maintenance staff will complete this complex.
The second floor will house most of the offices in different areas, but also spaces for concentration, various meeting rooms for teamwork, and relaxation areas for sharing convivial moments with colleagues.
The four facades, all made of wood, are composed of a very calm alternation of overhangs and floor-to-ceiling open windows (108 cm wide on the inside and 101.25 cm on the outside). Equipped with safety railings, the windows are openable and allow everyone to enjoy the view of the gardens.
The orthogonal grid
The plan is rigorously organized on a constructive grid of 1.35 m on each side. The orthogonal plan almost naturally induces an archetypal layout of the major traffic routes: the "Cardo" from North to South and the "Decumanus" from East to West, following the example of Roman cities. It is from the central square, which is at their intersection, that the activity spreads to the "neighborhoods", then to the "neighborhoods".
The stiffness of the orthogonality is only apparent. It is only the necessary and useful base for the free expression of diversity and poetry. It is precisely the perfume of humanism and culture that transpires from the sponsor's grand design that incites him to propose this neutral structure to allow the gentle and joyful expression of diversity.
Harmonious diversity
Rather than in the structure and envelope of the building, it is in the choice of finishing touches, textiles, leathers, wallpapers, wickerwork, enhanced by artistic interventions, that the indispensable diversity of the interior spaces is created. Walls, partitions and partitions are covered with them, carpets of all kinds cover the floor, chandeliers, sculptures and other pleasant and useful objects can be hung from the wooden ceiling.
The same is true for furniture (except for that which is specifically covered by the Workplace Wellness Code, such as workstation seating). The project proposes furniture elements reused or made from the supplies of the Ressourcerie Namuroise but each occupant, in respect and dialogue with the others, can also propose a chair, a table, a cupboard that expresses his personality.
It is therefore a question of trying to use only second or third choice visuals, reused or recycled materials, making sure that it makes sense socially and culturally, that it becomes poetic. It must give a soul to the building and generate affection from all users. The approach must then be perceived as exemplary for a public administration.
Natural ventilation
The ambition to offer the best possible indoor climate with the smallest possible environmental footprint leads to propose natural ventilation for the building.
When, as in this case, the outside air is of the desired quality, it is recognized that natural ventilation of a building is not only more pleasant but also more hygienic than that achieved mechanically with conditioned air distributed by air ducts. It is also more economical, in terms of investment, operation and maintenance costs, the main saving being the absence of energy-consuming installations to set the air in motion and to cool it, notwithstanding the non-recuperation of energy from the warm air extracted in winter.
Interior ventilation in cool weather is provided by static vents at the top of the patio windows, at the bottom of which are floor convectors. The air is evacuated by natural draught via chimneys located every 4.05 m on the south and north facades, in the central east-west axis and in the center of the three central wings.
On summer nights, the free cooling of the granite floors is ensured by the opening of the patio windows, which are sheltered from the rain under the glass roofs.
Renewable energies
In the case of this project, of the technologies available today, only those using solar energy and geothermal energy with a heat pump are exploitable.
Solar thermal energy would be inefficient in this case. Wind power could make very efficient use of the winds present on the site, but would produce too much noise. Cogeneration would duplicate solar and geothermal energy. The kinetic energy of the river would be too low given the slowdown generated by the locks. Finally, the quantity of biomass present on the site is too small to consider its energy exploitation, whereas it is particularly useful as fertilizer.
Parking, roads, access
The automobile entrances to the site (main entrance and parking entrance) are located in front of the long south-western façade of the building, from the roadway giving access to the former Institut Saint-Aubain from Rue Bodart. This road will perhaps be extended in the future along the banks of the Sambre towards the South in connection with avenue Woitrin.
Staff and visitors coming from rue Marinus by public transport or by bicycle can also, like the PRMs, take the elevator located as an extension of the footbridge in the south-east corner of the site and reach the main entrance via a covered gallery. The entrance for heavy vehicles is located in the northeast corner of the site.
Of the 371 parking spaces provided for cars, 12 are reserved for PRMs and 30 for visitors near the entrance, 12 are equipped with electric recharging stations, 28 are reserved for carpooling and 12 (including one for PRMs) are allocated to staff in the delivery area. 30 motorcycle parking spaces are planned near the "village square" and 103 covered bicycle spaces are planned under the canopies and galleries.
The surroundings
The open area is entirely dedicated to market gardening and staff recreation (sports fields could also be considered), it consists of different gardens divided into three parts:
- to the northeast: the educational garden, with its open-ground cultivation area (next to the greenhouse and nursery) and its container cultivation area, as well as the vegetable production garden for the staff;
- to the northwest: the large biodiversity and relaxation garden with its health trail and personalized insect hotels (the maximum possible amount of the existing asphalt area is also recovered, artistically treated so as not to destroy it);
- to the southwest: the perfume rose garden and the therapeutic garden.
Building: 10,133 m²; land: 32,616 m²; 2017 - 2021; (01/640).
Services provided
- Urban planning
- History of the site
- Microclimate
- Hydrogeology
- Architecture
- Interior design
- Surrounding and landscape design
- Structural engineering
- Engineering of special techniques
- Commissioning Facilities engineering
- Building physics, EPB
- Energy Smart Grid
- Air quality
- Daylighting
- BREEAM Certification
- Acoustics
- Signage
- Accessibility
- Fire safety
Distinction : Regional Western Europa BREEAM AWARD 2022
Tender selected following a restricted call for tenders "design and construction" on behalf of Entreprises Jan De Nul.
Photo credit
Project author: Philippe SAMYN and PARTNERS, architects & engineers
Photos: Quentin OLBRECHTS and Henri COLLETTE
Contractor
Construction Manager
Stakeholders
Structures calculist
Cerfontaine sprl
Ir David Janssen
Stability engineering with Samyn and Partners
Other consultancy agency
Flow Transfer International sa
Ir Andrew Janssens
Special technical engineering with Samyn and Partners
Environmental consultancy
Matriciel sa
Ir Fabrice Derny
Building physics and EPB advisor
Structures calculist
Acoustic Technologies sa
Ir Jean-Pierre Clairbois
Acoustic Advisor
Environmental consultancy
Ceanero asbl
Dr Cécile Goffaux, Ir Arnaud Candaele, Ir Kevin Siau
Dynamic simulations and micro-climates
Environmental consultancy
BOPRO nv
Michaela Vernimmen, Ermal Kapedani
Advisor BREEAM
Company
MOBIC sa
Jean-Philippe Moutschen; Patrick Moutschen
https://www.mobicsa.be/Wood frame construction (local wood)
Company
Les Ateliers Remy
Gabriel Remy
https://www.ateliersremy.beRealization of the staircase in perforated sheet metal
Contracting method
Other methods
Energy consumption
- 115,92 kWhep/m2.an
- 165,77 kWhep/m2.an
Systems
- Geothermal heat pump
- Heat pump
- Geothermal heat pump
- Natural ventilation
- Solar photovoltaic
- Heat pump
Risks
- Flooding/Fast Recession
Urban environment
- 32 616,00 m2
- 31,07 %
Product
Galvanized exterior staircase
Les Ateliers Remy
info[a]ateliersremy.be; Gabriel Remy
http://ateliersremy.be/
https://www.construirelawallonie.be/article/un-escalier-unique-comme-carte-de-visite-professionnelle/
Roof chimneys
Eeckhout bv
tony.dhoop[a]eeckhoutbv.be
https://eeckhoutbv.be/Génie climatique, électricité / Ventilation, rafraîchissement
The building is equipped with 74 insulated stainless steel shunt chimneys 5 m high which ensure the natural ventilation of the building.
External active solar protections
F.D.S.
info[a]fds.be
https://www.fds.be/fr/protections-solaires-exterieures
The exterior bays are equipped with external blinds with adjustable slats automatically controlled by facade linked to the level of sunshine and the position of the sun with individual override control by room or by structural span of 4.05 m.
Exterior passageways on the facade
TAMCO sprl
info[a]tamco.be; mathieu.gevers[a]tamco.be; Mathieu Gevers
https://tamco.be/
The gently sloping entrance esplanade which leads to the passageway, which one crosses to enter (interface between the exterior and the interior) and which is covered and glazed, also distributes the nursery and serves as entry to other functions open to the public. It also serves as a link with the service area on the east facade.
It houses the bicycle parking area and is also accessible by an access ramp at the end coming in a straight line from the urban lift.
It also serves as a cafeteria terrace.
Structure entirely in local wood + facade cladding in torrefied poplar planks
MOBIC sa
Jean-Philippe et Patrick Moutschen
https://www.mobicsa.be/Second œuvre / Menuiseries extérieures
The wooden structure (locally sourced) includes 12.15 m span beams in the form of boxes. These consist of small triangulated elements in solid wood assembled by "skins" in OSB panels fixed to the solid elements by robotic screwing. The cohesion of the whole is such that the panels are sufficient to absorb all the forces at the nodes of the beams, without bolted assembly.
The facades are assemblies of prefabricated elements (2.70m w x 8.10m h), each composed of columns and lintels with torrefied poplar cladding. Steel angles (L-profiles) are attached to these facade elements in order to support the planks, also made of prefabricated beams.
Prefabrication allows serious economies of scale, to optimize transport and to shorten the time of intervention on site, which also costs money.
Dalles the parking
EURODAL nv
info[a]eurodal.be
https://eurodal.be/
The car park is made of large prefabricated concrete slabs, with open joints (and therefore permeable).
Construction and exploitation costs
- 17 972 607 €
Reasons for participating in the competition(s)
Location
The whole is set up without unnecessary contortions, like a large farm or a small village. The real angles of 37° (= arctg (3/4)) of the Bastin and of 26.565° (= arctg (1/2)) of the project with respect to the cardinal axes add additional richness to the play of light with the orientation and the season .
The building, on steel stilts , is entirely in wood on two levels and covered by the photovoltaic umbrella and surmounted by 74 natural ventilation chimneys . It is located to the east from the site, as far as possible from the river, outside the theoretical areas of currently "high" and "medium" risk of flooding, and avoiding the noise of trains on the left bank of the Sambre. The elevation of the building offers the possibility of a fresh air intake through the void between piles to supply the natural ventilation system.
Thus located in the less flood-prone area, the building is bordered by market gardens and flowers, bathed in sunlight from morning to evening: the didactic and appropriation gardens in the ground and in containers as well as the production garden along its length. on the north-east side, the large "biodiversity garden - eventually completed with a relaxation area" (with its fitness trail) on its north-west side and finally the therapeutic garden on its south-west side. Spaces for rest and contemplation will be set up along undulating paths, inviting informal meetings and relaxation.
On the other hand, the reason imposes to arrange the car parks on the surface. The cost, both financial and environmental, of an underground car park, ultimately useless, in flood-prone terrain cannot be justified. The car park therefore occupies the "village square", in the most flood-prone area, on the banks of the Sambre and it is designed in the most compact way to consume a minimum of green space while preserving all the existing trees.
Clarifications on the risk of flooding
According to the Flood Portal database of the SPW (Service Public de Wallonie), the high flood hazard locally corresponds to the ground level of 82.0 m, while the medium and low hazards correspond respectively to the 82.6 m level. m and 82.8 m. These floods are reported as due to the overflow of the Sambre.
In consideration of this risk of flooding (and other criteria such as prevailing winds, ambient noise, mobility, etc.), the building is located in a low hazard zone. The level of its ground floor is set at 84.80 m to take into account a possible deterioration of the situation in the future. This level is comparable to that of the former Grand Séminaire (architect Roger Bastin), present to the north of the site, whose ground floor is located at level 85.18 m.
The flood hazard corresponding to an overflow of the Sambre, no passive drainage system can be envisaged. The building is therefore founded on the bedrock to avoid having to stabilize the level of the water table.
Building candidate in the category
Prix Tertiaire & Industriel
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