EQUANS has participated in the construction of an ultra-energy efficient office building, reinvented the workplaces and contributed to the renewal of the quartier Nord [Brussels’ northern district].
The expertise of EQUANS in the creation of office spaces respectful of the environment is no longer in question. After the Möbius towers and the Manhattan tower, our teams have got to grips with construction of the Silver Tower. For this passive tower, 137 metres in height, located at boulevard Saint-Lazare at Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, the real estate developer, Ghelamco, entrusted us with installation of all the HVAC, technical hot and cold, as well as fire protection systems.
Passive tower
With a façade in the form of a silvered ellipse, the Silver Tower will be one of the most emblematic buildings of Brussels’ quartier Nord. With its 7 underground levels and its 31 floors, itwants to be thought of as one of the capital’s primary service sector towers. If its appearance is de facto an architectural jewel, the building is no less innovative from an energy perspective. With an ammonia refrigeration station, active ceilings and a Building Management System (BMS)… To help its client achieve its environmental objectives and obtain the BREEAM “Excellent” certificate, EQUANS has put in place a solution which aims to reduce the building’s energy consumption and increase the comfort of its occupants.
Active ceilings and natural refrigerant
For heating and air conditioning, for example our teams have installed active ceilings on each floor. This system regulates the temperature of the rooms, using a network of pipes concealed in the suspended ceilings. The refrigeration station which feeds iced water to the tower also works with ammonia. This 100% natural refrigerant – in everyday use in the industry – is particularly environmentally friendly and does not emit greenhouse gases.
Sprinklers and BMS
Another remarkable element: to protect the building and its occupants against any outbreak of fire, EQUANS has put in place a fire protection system comprising 2800 water distributors (sprinklers). A record in this type of building! Finally, we have connected all the technical equipment to an integrated building management system (BMS). This controls the installations remotely, while at the same time improving environmental efficiency and operating costs.
Comfort to order
Production and distribution of iced water, hot water, ventilation and fire detection and extinguishing system… In close collaboration with Tractebel ENGIE and our partner Cegelec (for the HVAC part), our teams have managed the project from start to finish, while taking future developments into account (siting of the kitchens, the restaurant, meeting rooms, office partitions, etc.) and the needs of the end users.
Renewal of the quartier Nord
The works are planned to end in 2020. On this date, the 2000 civil servants of the Brussels Region (SPRB) will occupy this hyper-modern new building, which is completely in line with the plan to revitalise Brussels’ quartier Nord. Indeed. With its technical equipment, its energy efficiency and its ideal use factor for the office areas, it is odds on that the Silver Tower will swiftly become one of the major attractions of the future place Saint-Lazare. EQUANS is delighted to have played an active part in this ambitious project.
