Sustainable offices. Mundo-a by B-architecten
10/06/2021.
[Antwerp] Belgium
metalocus, ÁLVARO ARRIERO
metalocus, ÁLVARO ARRIERO
B-architecten has designed an office building in the Borgerhout district of Antwerp, prioritizing sustainability, hygrothermal comfort, and the quality of the work environment.
In this way, the building is built with environmentally friendly materials and labeled as sustainable, giving special prominence to wood, as well as construction systems that achieve good hygrothermal comfort, so that the cost of heating and air conditioning is minimal.
In this way, the building is built with environmentally friendly materials and labeled as sustainable, giving special prominence to wood, as well as construction systems that achieve good hygrothermal comfort, so that the cost of heating and air conditioning is minimal.
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Mundo-a by B-architecten. Photograph by Lucid
Site plan. Mundo-a by B-architecten
Ground floor. Mundo-a by B-architecten
First floor. Mundo-a by B-architecten
Second floor. Mundo-a by B-architecten
Third floor. Mundo-a by B-architecten
Fourth floor. Mundo-a by B-architecten
Fifth floor. Mundo-a by B-architecten
Rooftop plant. Mundo-a by B-architecten
Longitudinal section. Mundo-a by B-architecten
Cross section. Mundo-a by B-architecten
Sustainability is not the only pillar of the B-architecten project, since the program and the spatial configuration favor a relaxed work environment, where the meeting between employees is crucial so that the office hosts cafeterias and social gathering spaces.
One of these meeting spaces is a semi-covered square at the entrance of the building, which also allows solving some regulatory issues of the place such as the need to make a passage for firefighters, as well as an open space due to the nearby emergency exits of the subway.
In this way, the building becomes a bridge built with wooden truss beams supported by two concrete walls. In addition, the peculiar green façade is made up of ceramic pieces that help to waterproof the building.
One of these meeting spaces is a semi-covered square at the entrance of the building, which also allows solving some regulatory issues of the place such as the need to make a passage for firefighters, as well as an open space due to the nearby emergency exits of the subway.
In this way, the building becomes a bridge built with wooden truss beams supported by two concrete walls. In addition, the peculiar green façade is made up of ceramic pieces that help to waterproof the building.
Description of project by B-architecten
On this site there are a lot of restrictive conditions. There are metro emergency exits and the Eco-huis in the back has to be accessible at all times to emergency fire services and deliveries. For this reason the new office building was conceived as a bridge spanning the entire site.
This creates a 6 m high free space functioning as an indoor square leading to the Eco-huis, the Eco-café and the new office building Mundo-a. The arch span is supported by 3 slated wooden truss beams, supported by concrete partition walls. Along the bays of the truss beams, light walls can be freely placed on the office floors. On the two middle floors there will be ample space for meeting points for all the users of the complex. The façades are finished off with green coloured ceramic tiles and a passive wooden framework with triple glazing.
The Mundo-a office building lives up to all the recent notions about ecological and ethical demands of sustainability. So preference is given to the use of materials that are labelled as such.
More information
Architects
Design team
Stéphanie Collier, Evert Crols, Eva De Clerck, Emilie Dorekens, Dirk Engelen, Sven Grooten, Stijn Janssens, Inês Lourenço.
Client
Area
2,320 sqm.
Dates
2018.
Location
Borgerhout, Amberes.
Photography
Evert Crols, Dirk Engelen and Sven Grooten and Sebastiaan Leroy. B-architecten, B-bis, B-city and B-juxta
B-architecten, B-bis, B-city, B-juxta. Back in 1997, Evert Crols, Dirk Engelen and Sven Grooten set up an independent office for architecture: B-architecten was born. The three had met during their education in Antwerp and Amsterdam. At the internationally oriented Berlage Institute, it became clear that Evert, Dirk and Sven shared a common design interest. Today, the office is located in Antwerp and Brussels.
Ten years after the foundation of B-architecten, they started a new initiative together with Sebastiaan Leroy: B-bis architecten became an office that focuses on small architectural projects, residential interior design, offices and shops, scenographies for exhibitions and performing arts, temporary installations and furniture design.
In 2020, B-city was launched as a third B-platform with the aim to shape and supervise complex urban projects. The core of its ambition is to work on large-scale projects that carry the potential of becoming new city districts.
Today, B is the sum of four studio divisions called B-architecten, B-bis, B-city and B-juxta have naturally grown into an office of more than 60 people. Each B-team has its particular focus and way of functioning, yet they all share a distinct innovative view on the variety of projects the B-platforms stand for.
Ten years after the foundation of B-architecten, they started a new initiative together with Sebastiaan Leroy: B-bis architecten became an office that focuses on small architectural projects, residential interior design, offices and shops, scenographies for exhibitions and performing arts, temporary installations and furniture design.
In 2020, B-city was launched as a third B-platform with the aim to shape and supervise complex urban projects. The core of its ambition is to work on large-scale projects that carry the potential of becoming new city districts.
Today, B is the sum of four studio divisions called B-architecten, B-bis, B-city and B-juxta have naturally grown into an office of more than 60 people. Each B-team has its particular focus and way of functioning, yet they all share a distinct innovative view on the variety of projects the B-platforms stand for.
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