The new logistics site of the Agence Bruxelles Propreté (ABP), located along the Brussels Canal near the Buda Bridge, embodies a harmonious fusion of functionality, sustainability, and aesthetics. This project revitalizes an underutilized area into a modern logistics hub while perfectly integrating with its urban environment.
Program The site includes several key components. The logistics halls and the sorting center are dedicated to waste management and sorting. The social building houses offices, changing rooms, and a canteen for staff, providing a functional and comfortable environment. A designated parking area is intended for the parking and maintenance of vehicles. Additionally, the recycling centre (PAC) serves as a recycling area accessible to the public.
The site's architecture enhances employee well-being. The interior spaces are bathed in natural light, ensuring superior visual, acoustic, and thermal comfort. The widespread use of wood and the quality of indoor air were prioritized, offering a healthy and pleasant working environment.
Site Layout and Organization The site is organized into four distinct bands:
· "Hard" Band: Designed for trucks, including parking, washing, and inspection areas.
·"Building" Band: A unique volume visible from the canal, housing the central building and logistics halls.
·"Green" Band: A green axis including water management elements and serving as a green filter, extending towards the canal into a public esplanade.
·Recycling Centre (PAC) Band: A separate and publicly accessible area with separated traffic flows.
Wooden Structure The main structure is made of wood, offering warmth and durability, complemented by metal and polycarbonate facades. The logistics halls feature 30-meter span glulam trusses, creating a robust framework for versatile spaces. The central building includes glulam beams and columns with CLT (cross-laminated timber) floors. The wooden trusses of the halls transform into a large lattice structure along the canal, serving as a distinctive urban interface and a remarkable showcase for ABP.
Sustainability Commitment The project emphasizes the use of local and renewable materials, adhering to the principles of the circular economy. The central choice of wood construction reduces the carbon footprint and offers future flexibility and adaptability through modular design. The dry construction method minimizes on-site disruptions, optimizes resources, and facilitates disassembly and recycling at the end of life.
