The WOOD HUB building is part of a 21,000 m² mixed-use development designed to revitalise an isolated and disconnected site.
Developed over 7,200 m² on six floors, the project focuses on collaboration, well-being, sustainability and innovation. WOOD HUB is now home to the headquarters of the CFE Group (CFE, BPI, BPC, Wood Shapers…) delivered in December 2023.
Combining a prefabricated hybrid timber and concrete CREE® supporting structure, intelligent fossil-free energy management and targeting BREEAM® Outstanding and WELL® Core Platinum certifications (the first Platinum in Belgium, achieved in July 2024) and alignment with the European taxonomy, WOOD HUB is an exemplary office building that sets a new standard for innovative, sustainable construction.
This is the first building in Belgium to use the patented CREE® technology, which optimises timber sections while minimising concrete use.
By using PEFC-certified wood from sustainably managed forests, WOOD HUB has reduced the CO2 emissions related to its construction by almost 30%.
The off-site prefabricated structure and facade modules reduce material and water waste, as well as construction waste. These elements are assembled on-site with the modular, dismantlable system shortening the construction time and greatly reducing disturbances for local residents.
This strong environmental approach also incorporates new, more sustainable and bio-based materials, with a focus on circularity, such as the use of false floors and timber cladding in the atrium.
The building’s envelope design is complemented by an open loop geothermal heating and cooling system and nearly 300 photovoltaic solar panels.
As a result, WOOD HUB is virtually energy self-sufficient, with an estimated primary energy consumption of just 8.59 kWh per m².
List of stakeholders, cluster members:
- Staff: CFE through its subsidiary BPI Real Estate
- GC: CFE through its subsidiaries BPC & WOOD SHAPERS
- Stability: TPF
- BREEAM consulting: B4F
- BREEAM research consultancy: SUREAL
- Materials sustainability consultancy: NATURA MATER
Other stakeholders:
- Architect: ARCHI2000
- Building services engineering and EPB: DÉTANG ENGINEERING
- Acoustician: BAAM
- Health and safety coordinator: PS2
- Landscaper: EOLE
- Interior architecture: TWO DESIGNERS
- Climate and water management consultancy: ADVISTA
- Inspection body: SECO
- BSE and Smart Building: VMA
Discover a link to the WOOD HUB presentation video, created by Mister Emma for Archiweek’s Sustainable Architecture Days, to be held on 6, 7 and 8 October 2024.
Photography credits: ©Georges De Kinder
