AKZO

Address Perksestraat, Vilvoorde


Surface 10.000m²


Site 1,5ha


Project description

‘De Levis’ – the 1.5-hectare factory site on the Leuvensesteenweg – is turning into a place where living, working and shopping merge. The new construction project aims to achieve the best possible relationship between people, buildings and the neighbourhood. The project aims to create added value for residents and neighbours. For example, there will be green outdoor spaces that bring people together, create an authentic neighbourhood feeling and upgrade the environment. A great deal of attention is also given to mobility.

Budget Confidential


Project period 2021 – 2024


Delivery phase 2024

Final client Kolmont


Designers styfhals architecten, blauw druk


MEP engineering Macabo-Stabo

SuReal is AKZO’s sustainability manager

The AKZO site is a former industrial site located in Vilvoorde. This site will undergo reconversion in the coming years under the guidance of the developer Kolmont. The soil is currently being thoroughly decontaminated in order to make room for a supermarket, 18 flats and 43 single-family dwellings with gardens.

 

For this entire development, SuReal guides the consortium in the field of sustainability. Specifically, the Project Roadmap of the city of Vilvoorde is used for this purpose. This tool allows the sustainability ambition for the entire site to be steered for a wide range of sustainability themes: mobility, location, greenery, water, materials, energy, …

 

SuReal is responsible for the development of the water concept. For this, we give advice on the following aspects: selection of efficient devices, avoidance of heat island effects, sizing of wadi, calculation of rainwater and greywater potential, estimate of the costs for both installations, etc. Since this concerns decontaminated land with the occasional risk of residual pollution, the proposed solutions must take this additional condition into account.

To let affordability and energy efficiency go hand in hand, SuReal carries out an energy concept study in which, based on a multi-criteria (CAPEX, OPEX, CO2 emissions, E-level, TCO) analysis, the most suitable way of heating and cooling is determined. Here too, the limitations of the soil and the impact of this on, for example, the installation of a BTES field must be taken into account.

 

A detailed sunlight study is used to optimise the availability of sunlight on building sections and the outdoor environment. This creates a greater opportunity for a lively indoor and outdoor environment, minimal artificial lighting consumption and the passive or active utilisation of solar gains.

 

Circular economy and circular construction methods are part of a sustainable building. This part of sustainability guidance includes the sustainable use of materials, but also the closing of cycles. The focus here is on reducing the environmental impact of materials. On the basis of LCA analyses, an objective choice is made for the many questions concerning the use of materials (e.g. CLT construction versus classic masonry construction). Innovative solutions such as the temporary use of the fallow site for the production of crops also fall under the interpretation of circular economy given by SuReal.

SuReal’s role

Sustainability management: 

  • Water concept
  • Solar studies
  • Analysis of the materials with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) 
and advice on circular economy
  • Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis of energy concept
  • EPB