BESIX is in charge of all renovation works, from asbestos removal to the transformation of the existing building composed of thirteen floors (five underground levels with a total of 31,300 m², a ground floor, and seven upper floors, totalling 28,800 m²). Next to bringing more daylight into the building and refurbishing the technical installations, the main objective of the renovation is to significantly reduce the building’s environmental footprint.
The renovation works will comply with new provisions with regards to circularity in the context of the conservation of Brussels heritage. Different sorts of materials present in the existing building will be re-used in the renovation, such as marble plates. These will be dismantled and stored before being given a new life in the renovated building. Certain technical elements will also be recuperated, revised, and reinstalled in the building, like generator sets. Other elements, such as carpeting, partitions, or tiles will be the source of materials for other building sites, whether for private projects or subcontractors. This circular renovation approach substantially reduces waste and is the result of a thorough preliminary study of material life cycle and flow.