Week of 27 July
1. A Dutch first in smart rainwater drainage (The Netherlands)
A first for the Netherlands. In Voerendaal-Oost, rainwater is now being given a smart new route. Across this Limburg district, wadis, water retention buffers and separate rainwater drainage systems are being installed to help reduce flooding during heavy rainfall. Step by step, the neighbourhood is becoming better prepared for increasingly extreme weather conditions.
The most striking feature can be found right alongside the road: innovative hollow kerbs that channel rainwater directly from the road surface into the wadis. While this technology is already used in other countries, this is the first time it has been implemented in the Netherlands. Behind this pioneering project lies a strong collaboration between our teams at BESIX Infra Nederland, the municipality, and engineering consultancy TAUW, who are responsible for the design and delivery of the works.
2. Timber landmark reshapes tropical health education (Australia)
A new landmark has opened in Far North Queensland, Australia. The Yeinie Building, located within the Dugurrdja Precinct, brings tropical health education, research and training together under one roof for James Cook University. Built by our BESIX Watpac colleagues, it is also writing a new chapter in sustainable construction.
As the largest mass timber building in Cairns, the structure reduces whole-of-life embodied carbon by 39% compared to an equivalent concrete frame, saving 788 tonnes of CO2. Beyond the numbers, the building creates a new hub for learning, healthcare collaboration and innovation that will support the region for years to come. It is a strong example of what can happen when local expertise, sustainable thinking and ambitious design come together.
3. Young BESIX Nederland connects in Rotterdam (The Netherlands)
Concrete, steel and conversation. Members of Young BESIX Nederland, the Dutch branch of BESIX Young Community (BYC), explored some of Rotterdam’s most iconic BESIX projects, including the Maastoren. Beyond the impressive engineering and architecture, the visit was about something equally important: connecting people. Colleagues from different parts of our organisation came together to exchange ideas, share experiences and strengthen their network.
Standing in the shadow of landmarks such as POST, Terraced Tower, New Orleans and Montevideo, they also discovered the stories behind the buildings, told by colleagues who once worked on these projects themselves and are now sharing their knowledge with a new generation. These moments remind us that our Group is built not only on projects, but also on the relationships and collaboration behind them. A big thank you to everyone who helped organise the visit. Here’s to the curiosity, energy and initiative of BYC members in the Netherlands, Belgium and across the Group, and to many more activities to come!
4. A myriad of applications, one experience (Belgium)
17,500. That’s how many applications our recruitment team received in 2025. Behind every CV is a person exploring what it might be like to build a career with us, making candidate experience one of the most important touchpoints of our employer brand. That matters more than ever in a competitive market where many of our competitors are looking for the same profiles, including engineers. So how do you create a memorable experience for every candidate?
According to our colleague Yannick Van Aelst, who has been responsible for recruitment at BESIX Group over the past few years, the answer has more in common with a Michelin-starred restaurant than you might think. Read the full interview to discover why. It is also a reminder that candidate experience does not start and stop with recruitment. It is shaped every day by how we welcome colleagues, give autonomy, and support one another through professional and personal challenges.
Read the full interview (in Dutch) with Yannick Van Aelst.
