Week of 10 June
1. Vanhout hands over AP Hogeschool (Belgium)
On 4 June, Vanhout officially handed over the AP Hogeschool project in Antwerp to the client in the presence of Antwerp authorities. This 21,000 m² almost energy-neutral STEM campus designed for 2,500 students comprises high-tech labs and a brand-new tower. On-site, a BES (Borehole Energy Storage) was bored to provide the facility with sustainable energy. Through various boreholes reaching depths of more than 100 metres, a closed underground pipe network is installed that extracts cooling from the ground in the summer and uses geothermal heat to warm the campus in the winter.
The site was designed by the famous architects Jaspers-Eyers Architects, who also designed other BESIX projects like the new Antwerp Local Police Headquarters, Quatuor (Brussels), Paradis Express (Liège - BESIX and Wust), or the renovation of The Hive (Brussels), and by the architectural practice OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen.
2. Near completion on St John of God Ballarat Hospital expansion (Australia)
After a year and a half of intensive construction, BESIX Watpac and partner H. Troon are putting the final touches on the St John of God Ballarat Hospital Expansion project.
This complex health infrastructure was a massive undertaking, with almost 220,000 hours of labour and over 859 individuals having gone through training sessions, safety briefings, and other preparatory activities. The project was performed in a live environment, with hospital operations continuing while a new pathology area, a central sterile services department (CSSD), and a new in-patient tower featuring the cath lab were constructed. The team is now focused on creating new administrative office spaces within the existing hospital premises.
More information? Watch the video below:
3. Major milestone on the Nordhavn project (Denmark)
Our colleagues at the Nordhavn Tunnel project have started the installation of wall anchors for the retaining wall. 4750 wall anchors will progressively be installed from different levels to hold the retaining sheet piles in place during the deeper excavation of the construction pit.
If you want to have an overall view of the site, watch this drone video:
4. Groundbreaking ceremony for the Maison de la Croix-Rouge (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg)
On 6 June a ground-breaking ceremony was held in the presence of Her Royal Highness Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, President of the Luxembourg Red Cross, and several government representatives, marking the start of works on the new Red Cross headquarters in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a joint project between LuxTP, BESIX, and CLE Compagnie Luxembourgeoise d'Entreprises.
This new building is designed to be a model of sustainability. The design of the Maison de la Croix-Rouge is based on the use of decarbonised materials and responsible energy management. A geothermal system will provide heating and cooling for the building. The sustainable design and architecture focused on employee well-being aim for BREEAM 'Excellent' and WELL Building 'Gold' certifications.
And then this… Family Day for BESIX France
Last Saturday, 8 June, our colleagues from BESIX France came together for a day of networking and fun with colleagues and family. On this day, they organised mini-Olympics with sports games (volleyball, badminton, and canoe racing) and brain games (treasure hunts with riddles, logic games, and general knowledge quizzes). At the end of the day, there was a medal ceremony for the top three teams.
Have a look at the pics, they had fun... and nice weather!
