Duco

“Duco contributes to the building of an educational gem with DucoSun Ellips” In the autumn of 2014, the first sod was cut in the West Flanders seaside resort of Ostend for the construction of an impressive school complex. In order to cope expeditiously with the steady growth of Atheneum Pegasus, pupils and teaching staff were able, thanks to close cooperation between the stakeholders, to settle into the snazzy, elongated newbuild wing after scarcely one year. The design was handled by Urban Platform, whose main driving forces were sustainability and energy efficiency, as well as focusing on indoor climate. Close to the centre of Ostend, it is not only pupils and teaching staff, but also architecture enthusiasts and casual passers-by w... More

In spring 2015, an impressive spectacle emerged right next to Bosuil stadium, home to the Royal Antwerp Football Club, as all the stops were being pulled out on an undeveloped plot of land just short of 8,000 m² where work was being carried out on the construction of a magnificent brand-new office building for Power Solutions. Magnificent indeed, since Duco and BOfA, a firm of architects, surprised many a contractor with a successful combination of lavish architecture, durability and a comfortable indoor climate. Brotherly neighbours. That’s how Power Solutions and XL Boom stand proudly together today. Two totally different entities whose core operations have nothing in common, yet which appear to project virtually the same character to... More

Les Passerelles, an eco-district near Annecy, south-east France, is situated on the former paper-manufacturing industrial estate of Cran-Gevrier. These modern residential buildings feature DucoSlide sliding panels, boasting practicality and refined aesthetics. Diversity of systems Sliding panels (or sliding shutters) today have become an established feature in multiple, subsidised ownership and social housing construction. The new Les Passerelles eco-district is no exception to this rule, relying heavily on these products which are as high-tech as they are elegant. The numerous possibilities open to the owners can be admired from the initial sketches on the various buildings in this housing scheme by Priams, the developer. A range... More

In the centre of Sint-Niklaas in the Belgian province of East Flanders, just a stone's throw from the Grote Markt, two terraced houses and a commercial property have been converted into an apartment block – and very successfully too, as is obvious to anyone who has seen the finished structure. The success of the design was based on two factors: the unfavourable position of the building and the talent of architect Bas Wauman, who, together with Duco Ventilation & Sun Control, turned this into an advantage. The challenge when drafting the plans for the new building was to ensure that all residents of the apartment block would benefit from maximum comfort. This was by no means a given, however. “The living areas within this block, which is... More

A sleek, sustainable and airtight home with a specific emphasis on the indoor climate is proving increasingly attractive to prospective builders. Consequently, architectural firms and construction companies also need to respond to this fast growing trend. Under the header ‘less is more’ architects Denc! Studio and Lapeirre Woningbouw pulled out all the stops in order to create a solidly designed residential concept in Nevele in which modern and timeless architecture goes hand-in-hand with energy-efficiency, with people at the core of the design. High time then to take a closer look at this wonderful inspirational home to which Duco also made a significant contribution. Breathing new life into a farm dwelling Frequent travellers along th... More

In recent years we have come to value the sun as an ally that supplies us with free energy. However, even your closest ally can sometimes be an uninvited guest. On summer days the sun can give off too much heat and this can be unpleasant, especially if you are in a building that incorporates lots of glass. The Laidlaw Library, part of the University of Leeds, was constructed in early 2014 and glass was an important element in the design of this building. Architectural firm ADP nevertheless managed to achieve the ideal indoor climate, working together with various parties including Duco Ventilation & Sun Control. The new undergraduate library at the University of Leeds provides 1000 reader seats, flexible training rooms, a skills zone, co... More