Week of 18 March
1. Two new ‘Onuments’ by BESIX Infra for victims of Covid in Brussels and Leuven (Belgium)
On 13 March two ‘Onuments’ were officially inaugurated, one in Brussels and one in Leuven, in the presence of federal and local authorities. These Onuments, built by BESIX Infra, are resting places erected in memory of victims of the Covid pandemic. The date of the unveiling was symbolic: exactly four years ago on 13 March, the first lockdown was declared in Belgium. These places for reflection and grief are an initiative of psychiatrist Uus Knops and were designed by landscape architect Bas Smets, who also invented the neologism ‘onument’. After BESIX Infra had installed an Onument in Aarschot at the end of 2022, it was again appointed as the contractor to place the Onuments in Brussels and Leuven.
2. Nordhavn tunnel: sheet piling phase 1 completed (Denmark)
Our colleagues in Denmark have reached an important milestone with the completion of the first phase of sheet piling works for the structure of the working platform on the Nordhavn Tunnel project. The cofferdam structure in the channel will be used to retain the working platforms of both phases of construction. This structure will allow the building of the tunnel while retaining access to the harbour for leisure boats. Congrats to the colleagues in Nordhavn for this major achievement!
3. Works to start soon at the Kevlinx data centre (Belgium)
The construction of the new 40MVA data centre for our client KevlinX in Brussels will start mid-April. The team is now getting prepared and site offices will soon be set up. BESIX is in charge of the design and construction of all civil, structural, and architectural elements of this turnkey data centre, while partner Equans will execute the design and installation of the MEP elements. Sending good vibes to the whole project team for a safe and hassle-free project!
4. News from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi (UAE)
We have news of what will be the largest of the Guggenheim Museums, currently under construction in Abu Dhabi, in the expert hands of our BESIX Middle East team. The final steel elements of the atrium roof have been placed, and de-propping is to follow to allow other trades to start their works. The visual mockup for Cone 2, one of the iconic forms that make up the enigmatic shape of the museum, is being installed in the mockup yard.
The cones' erection is in full motion, with ground assemblies taking up a lot of area on site. Cone 9 is just shy of reaching the final height. The temporary towers are in place for Cone 1B, which will be topped off by using a 1600-tonne crane. Works are progressing well, despite the adverse weather during the winter months which caused some lifting delays and minor damage to the drywall and partitions.
Keep up the good work on this impressive construction, Guggenheim team!
And then this... BESIX Nederland participates in ‘NL Doet’ (The Netherlands)
Last Friday our BESIX NL employees rolled up their sleeves to take part in ‘NL Doet’ (’the Netherlands act’), the biggest volunteer action in the Netherlands, organised by the Oranje Fonds. From helping to refurbish the "barefoot path" of a playground, making and hanging frames for a play centre, making heart-pillows for breast cancer patients, placing plants and flowers at a care centre to helping with a theme afternoon at a care home where residents were entertained with accordion, a chocolate fountain, singing, and dancing, each of our colleagues’ contributions made a big difference to the beneficiaries.
