Martelaarssquare is synonymous with the Flemish Government. The 3 neoclassical Cabinet buildings (numbers 7, 9 and 13) are in need of renewal in terms of energy consumption, spatial organisation and functionality. Low architects with VK architects+engineers as engineering partner take this assignment to heart.
Exemplary project with presence
The Flemish government wants to promote the renovation of the Martelaarssquare as an example of sustainable urban development, an illustration of their integrated policy towards sustainability. The New Way of Working has also been integrated, with a differentiated working environment for flexible staffing, and quiet focus and privacy areas.
The buildings will be completely stripped and the listed facades and roofs restored. The existing structure will be preserved as much as possible - the few interventions are limited to logical choices.
Martelaarssquare 7 will gain an additional layer, including a roof garden and PV panels. The structure consists of a timber frame: light, prefabricated, circular and CO2-neutral.
Energy optimisation
The entire building envelope is optimised with new joinery, insulation of façades and roofs and higher airtightness. In addition, all technical installations will be replaced by more efficient systems. In addition, the building also has its own energy production, via PV panels on the roofs, multifunctional heat pumps and innovative fuel cells. The in-house production mainly feeds the air-conditioning and e-mobility of bicycles and cars. An adequate building management system ensures flexible use of all installations.
The target is a saving of 27% in primary energy and 40% in CO2.
Emphasis on user comfort
The renovation of the interior should first and foremost improve user comfort, as well as safety and the efficiency of the technical installations. For instance, a verdant facade in the atrium does not only provide a beautiful decoration. The purifying plants also introduce cooling by evaporation and extra oxygen. The vegetative facade also provides acoustic absorption.
In addition, acoustic ceilings and profiled wood limit the reverberation time throughout the building for pleasant acoustic comfort.
For the entire project, the GRO sustainability meter was used, with an overall score of "Better".
