The new VIB bio-incubator, the ideal place for biotech start-ups
Anyone driving past Ghent on the E40 during the last year will have seen the new VIB-Incubator taking shape. When it opens in early 2024, the building will become home to biotech start-ups in Flanders thanks to its state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure. VIB has engaged Equans to implement all of the required technologies. And Equans has proven itself to be the multi-faceted technology partner of choice more than ever.
To state the obvious, the VIB Bio-Incubator is bursting with innovative power. The building offers all the technology and space that pioneering start-ups in the biotech sector need to achieve their full potential.
The striking building, the construction of which began in October 2021, boasts eight floors. The ground floor houses the entrance hall, meeting rooms, a cafeteria and a large bike shed.
Floors one to six are home to 22 bio-incubators that provide not only state-of-the-art laboratories, but also the required office space that biotech companies need today. The seventh and eighth floors will welcome the VIB’s brand-new headquarters.
All technologies implemented by Equans
The new VIB Bio-Incubator represents a key part of the life sciences ecosystem in Flanders, Europe and further afield. Yet the project also represents a milestone for Equans itself. “We’ve come up with all the technologies ourselves”, says project manager Gunter Thienpont. “We’re able to handle things very efficiently, as Equans offers all the technologies under one roof. We do this through a range of subsidiaries, who meet weekly to coordinate. Together, we unburden the customer completely this way.”
Equans has a particularly wide-ranging area of operations at the new VIB Bio-Incubator: from HVAC, sanitary facilities, a building management system and sprinklers to all electrical installations, data infrastructure and site monitoring. What’s more, the entire installation has taken place pursuant to the standards set out to obtain the BREEAM Excellent sustainability certificate.
Sustainable HVAC and sanitary technology
Equans started by installing the HVAC system, sanitary facilities, the waste flow and the building management system. "We placed heat pumps, an air handling unit and solar panels on the roof. Heat pumps, three air handling units and water treatment systems are also present on the sixth floor. Two air handling units combine to provide a flow rate of 70,000m³ per hour to keep the air in all labs across the six floors fresh. The installation is completely unique.”
In addition, a 9,500m³/hour air handling unit has also been installed on the roof for VIB’s offices, with two smaller ones on the ground floor and a 11,000m³ unit for the tenants’ offices. Two air handling units with a capacity of 35,000m³, each of which work together redundantly, are located on the sixth floor to supply the lab areas with fresh air. “This allows us to prevent the air from mixing, so hazardous substances can never spread from the labs into the building. The air is filtered to ensure it doesn’t contain any pollen or gases. Finally, the humidity is always perfect thanks to a steam humidifier and dehumidifier.”
Rainwater is used to supply the toilets. “The rainwater is collected in several ways – between the solar panels on the roof, through the two patios in the building, the five open gardens, and along the green facades, which feature nets to trap moisture. The roof is also a green roof, by the way, to buffer water.”
Energy usage closely monitored
Equans has installed all of the electrical installations. “The building contains almost purely electrical installations, partially fed by energy generated by the solar panels”, says Gunter Thienpont. “We don’t use fossil fuels anywhere in the building. In addition, all 22 labs are equipped with soft and hard lab water.”
All energy consumed for heating and cooling can be comprehensively monitored by the building’s management using a building management system implemented by Equans. “This system allows you to see how much energy each incubator consumes. If consumption goes up, we run a thorough analysis.”
A lot of data infrastructure is also present
Furthermore, Equans has installed all data cables, fibre-optic cables, server rooms and gas extinguishing systems. “The project involved miles of cable”, says Gunter Thienpont. “138km of cable with more than 3,500 connections, more than 3.3km of fibre-optic cable for the connections between cabinets, and 36 data cabinets. There’s also double the amount of Wi-Fi cables, so more people can use it at the same time.”
The lines from the providers come into the server rooms, where the data storage and processing take place. “We’ve divided the server cabinets in the server room on the ground floor into three separate compartments. This means each biotech firm has access to their own servers using their own key.”
Equans has linked all the systems in the building through the server room, allowing the building management to monitor and control the systems using the building management system. This includes the data infrastructure in the server room, as well as its energy consumption. “The higher the calculated power usage effectiveness (PUE), the more energy-efficient the data centre or building will run.”
Site monitoring and sprinklers also installed
Finally, Equans also installed the fire safety system for the whole building. “This involved installing water sprinklers and two fire pumps. 70% of the sprinklers are visible, while 30% are hidden in false ceilings.”
Works on the building will have taken more than two years in total by the time Equans has finished. “PortEyes, a subsidiary of Equans is constantly monitoring the site with mobile camera masts. Smart software raises an alarm in the control room, at which point employees check the alarm and call the police if necessary. We’ll remain on site until we’re due to finish the works in November 2023.”
“We have to meet the deadline – and we will”, concludes Gunter Thienpont. “We currently have 74 colleagues from Equans working on site in the building to that end. We’re making every effort to deliver the building on time.”
