GREEN ENTRANCE FOR A NEW OFFICE BUILDING
In August 2021, a brand new office building near Brussels Airport opened. Assar llox architects designed the complex, and Urban Landscape was commissioned by Assar llox architects to design the surroundings. The main building tenant will occupy 22,400 m2 of space, while the remaining 7,700 m2 will be occupied by others, in accordance with the developer's co-working concept.
The main tenant's employees requested that their new headquarters be located near the airport. This location is very convenient for staff in terms of mobility. The location is a short distance from Diegem station and is easily accessible by bicycle or public transportation. The Leuven cycle highway runs alongside the site, and the future airport tram stops right outside the front door.
The building's entrance area needed to be transformed into an appealing, green space where people could meet in a comfortable setting. In contrast to the building's austere design, an organic design of architectural elements was used. In this way, a cozy transition space between the public road and the office is created in the subconscious, as well as an awareness of the way here.
The use of greenery on various levels softened the necessary circulation on the entrance square in hard materials. The use of precast concrete elements was motivated by the material's shape flexibility, strength, ease of maintenance, and resistance to wear.
The material's shape flexibility allowed it to be used for raised planters, seating elements, and paving, bringing the design together. Furthermore, the material's wide range of color pigments and finishes ensures a good fit between the building and the paving.
The use of precast concrete elements has the added benefit of shortening execution times, which contributes to a more efficient project implementation.
