a2o

a2o is now officially recognised as an SDG Pioneer! Ever since our founding in 2000, sustainability has been an important topic within a2o. This is because we firmly believe that we, as urban planners, architects, landscape architects and interior designers, are in a pioneering role to initiate the necessary change towards a better world, and this across generations. It is therefore from this conviction that, in late 2023, we chose to sign up as a company to the Voka Charter Duurzaam Ondernemen (VCDO). Over the course of a year, we set to work on various action points such as: - establishing the a2o-sustainable team - carrying out a materiality analysis - defining our priority SDGs - setting KPIs for these priority SDGs - upskilling our employees on sustainability topics such as water management, circularity, AI in the design process, ... - ... All these efforts were rewarded yesterday evening in the form of an SDG Pioneer certificate that we, together with 75 other Flemish companies, received from the hands of Prof Dr Ebru Canan Sokullu, Associate Director of the CIFAL Global Network (UN).   For us, this certificate is the confirmation that we have chosen the right direction with a2o, and is the proverbial cherry on top of all our sustainability efforts over the past year. But it is certainly also a powerful motivator to make us even more committed in the coming weeks, months and years to take the lead and make the (construction) world a more beautiful and sustainable place!  Good to know: a full overview of our sustainability initiatives can be found in our sustainability report, which can be downloaded from our website from today! Voka - Kamer van Koophandel Limburg

Globachem, a family-owned company founded in 2000 in Sint-Truiden, focuses on innovation, sustainability, and globalization in the European crop protection market. To accommodate the company’s continuous growth, additional workspace was required.    The expansion design features a beam-shaped structure placed above and adjacent to the existing office building, supported by concrete columns. This approach allowed for an efficient expansion without the need for an entirely new building at a different location. The facade of the new volume, made of a combination of glass and brushed aluminum, provides a modern look and integrates seamlessly with the existing structure. Pictures by Stijn Bollaert For Globachem nv

Ever since a2o was founded in 2000, sustainability has been very important in our designs and operations. However, despite our endless enthusiasm to help build a better world for everyone, we noticed that an extra acceleration was needed. We are therefore pleased to announce that last month we were awarded the certificate ‘laureate VOKA Charter Duurzaam Ondernemen (VCDO)’. This certificate is the result of an intensive six-month process in which we clearly mapped out and fine-tuned the sustainability initiatives within a2o. With our participation in the VCDO, we are taking a first step towards an even more far-reaching sustainability policy within a2o. Because we believe that we can only improve the world by starting with ourselves.

Recently, the housing project in Oud-Turnhout was completed, and we’re thrilled to share some new pictures on our website! The project is designed to balance various needs while enhancing community character and functionality, with a focus on non-motorized traffic and sustainability. A new pedestrian and cycling path connects the village square with Kapelstraat, fostering social interaction and better connectivity. A private park provides a tranquil green space for residents and opens up the inner area, improving accessibility and community interaction. The architecture blends with the village’s character, aligning with neighboring structures and dedicating ground-floor spaces to community functions. Pictures by @stijn_bollaert  For groep Van Roey vastgoed

Together with Architectenbureau Michel Janssen we handed in a design proposal for the Courtines Citadel Diest. Preserving its historical significance while striking a balance between conservation and modernization was paramount. The project entails restoring historical features, addressing existing moisture issues, and integrating new elements to accommodate contemporary needs. Images by nuvillu illustrations Read more about the project via https://lnkd.in/eix3AdHB

For the Theater aan het Vrijthof in Maastricht we proposed a new structure that harmoniously complements the streetscape and delicately inscribes itself into the intricate fabric of the "oldest city in the Netherlands." Despite its substantial volume, the singular form of the Middle Hall gracefully implements itself into the architectural rhythm of its surroundings. It addresses the need for smaller-scale productions that feel overwhelmed in the expansive 915-seat Papyrus Hall yet cramped in the 110-seat Upper Hall.

PROXIMUS TOWERS - STUDY PUBLICATION We're pleased to see our study for the Proximus towers republished on the Bouwmeester Maître Architecte's website. Don't hesitate to download the full study and discover the research we did. The study explores transforming an office tower into residential space in Brussels North Quarter's Proximus Towers. It delves into designing residential typologies, focusing on shared and private spaces in both the tower and plinth. The research emphasizes collective living, suggesting collaboration between designers and end-users to create functional shared spaces. The study concludes with recommendations for a sustainable and cohesive living environment. BMA's publication: https://lnkd.in/d2STHqYG More about the study: https://lnkd.in/dPFrtbNB Project team: MULTIPLE architecture & urbanism, a2o, ARCHITECT KOEN VAN SYNGHEL Client: Immobel   #study #proximus #publication #architecture #ubanism #housing #offices #rehabilitation #adaptive #reuse

Last year the project of Achter de Hoven in the city center of Zonhoven has been completed. The project introduces 47 residential units, consisting of three distinct building volumes ranging from 3 to 5 storeys in height. Arranged in a U-shaped configuration, these volumes redefine a former wasteland within the village center, following a campus concept. The design incorporates green outdoor spaces both inside and outside the U-shaped arrangement. Along the perimeter, an existing cycle route from the village square to the church is introduced, while a park-like garden is established in the inner area between the building volumes. By opening up the inner area, passersby are encouraged to stroll freely between the blocks. for Dethier with BUROLANDSCHAP images by Stijn Bollaert

For the transformation of the Old Administrative Center in Hasselt, a design by brutalist architect Louis Ghysebrechts, we proposed a design that envisions adaptive reuse of the building and the insertion of a new volume with two movie theaters. By removing tresholds, the existing volume is connected with the public space and accessibility to the foyer is increased. New functions supporting the program of the building are organised by adding new layers into the old. Team Vanderstraeten nv | Sweco | Daidalos Peutz bouwfysisch ingenieursbureau | Belcotec

100 op 100 voor herbestemming - aflevering 82/100: Kabo Beringen De steenkoolmijn van Beringen is opgericht in 1907 en was een van de zeven mijnsites van het Kempense steenkoolbekken. In 1989 is de site gesloten en in 2013 beschermd als monument. De mijnsite is gelegen aan de voet van twee terrils en wordt onder de naam be-MINE herontwikkeld. Een van de meest opvallende gebouwen van de site is het voormalige vestiairegebouw. AAC architecture en a2o werkten samen aan de herbestemming ervan tot een school met een avontuurlijke buitenspeelplaats. Een brede trap gaat tussen de bestaande betonstructuur omhoog naar de eerste verdieping. De ontvangstruimte ligt centraal in de gangzone als een naar binnen gekeerde ruimte die gebruikt kan worden voor gezamenlijke activiteiten. In tegenstelling tot deze oriëntatie zijn de kleuterklassen op het gelijkvloers naar buiten gericht. Door de integratie van vides aan de voorgevel ontstaat er een boeiende interactie tussen de verschillende verdiepingen en klassen. Hierdoor wordt er voor de kleuterklassen een overdekte buitenzone gecreëerd, die overgaat in de speelplaats, ontworpen door FRIS IN HET LANDSCHAP. Vorig jaar won Kabo Beringen de Brussels Architecture Prize in de categorie ‘Extra Muros’ (voor projecten buiten het Brusselse grondgebied). Juryvoorzitter en architect Dorte Mandrup prees de ontwerpers voor hun integratie van de nieuwe volumes in de bestaande, beschermde constructie: “Zo ontstaat een duidelijk onderscheid tussen oud en nieuw, en worden de bestaande kwaliteiten onderstreept. Het gebruik van een doosconstructie in het bestaande gebouw, de ritmische afwisseling van enkel- en dubbelhoge ruimten, en tussen binnen en overdekt buiten resulteert in een warm, speels en uitnodigend interieur, met respect voor de strikte symmetrie van het bestaande gebouw.” Ik zou het niet beter kunnen samenvatten. Foto's © Stijn Bollaert Over '100 op 100 voor herbestemming': Niets is duurzamer en circulairder dan een nieuwe toekomst geven aan een bestaand pand. Zeker als dat gebeurt met respect voor de erfgoedwaarde van het gebouw. Gedurende een volledig jaar brengen Pieter Verfaillie (bow architecten), Ruben Willaert (Herbé), Sara Vermeulen, Wouter Polspoel (hoofdredacteur Circubuild), Rik Neven (zaakvoerder Palindroom) en ikzelf afwisselend in het totaal 100 mooie voorbeelden van herbestemming onder de aandacht. De serie loopt tot en met 12 mei 2024. Dan vindt de eerste editie plaats van de Herbestemmingsdag. Meer info over de Herbestemmingsdag vind je hier: www.herbestemmingsdag.be #herbestemming #herbestemmingsdag