2 Silt Middelkerke Bouwteam Nautilus foto Stefan Steenkiste

Casino Middelkerke

Together with ZJA, we are helping to build a new landmark for the Belgian coast.
Winner Architecture Masterprize, hospitality category
  • Architect: ZJA i.c.w. Bureau Bouwtechniek and OZ

  • Client: Gemeente Middelkerke

  • Surface: building approx. 15,000 m² / surrounding landscaping: approx. 27,000 m²

  • Budget: €38,986,706 (+ reconstruction of Epernay Square and seawall: €2,011,535)

  • Timing: 2020 - 2024

  • Status: Executed

  • Photographer: Sarah Blee (site photography) & Stefan Steenkiste & Sebastian Van Damme

  • Advisors: DELVA (landscape architect), Plantec (technical designer outdoor landscaping), Cobe (stability), VK Engineering (techniques, acoustics), Witteveen-Bos (seawall study), Beersnielsen (lighting design), Actiflow (wind study), Mint (mobility), Sertius

Thanks to its unique location between the dike and the dunes, the casino will be the absolute eye-catcher of Middelkerke.

The casino in Middelkerke houses a restaurant with terrace, foyer, event hall with seating for 1,700 people, games room, underground parking and a hotel with some 60 rooms. In the games room, you get a beautiful view of the sea.

Place Epernay will be shifted towards the sea. On top of the dune there will be a park-like green square where events can take place.

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Integral approach

The construction of the new casino building was an excellent opportunity for the designers to also address water safety (dyke reinforcement), the quality of the public space, making the sea dyke car-free and connecting the Epernayplein with the sea.

The design of the casino in Middelkerke takes a run at what is anticipated and expected of a building with that function. Casinos are often conceived as a closed box, where activities take place behind lock and key. In Middelkerke, we opt for a casino that connects to the public dune landscape. It transforms the sea dyke into a unique destination of encounters, games, culture and entertainment along the Belgian coast.

Sustainable

  • Finite energy sources are used sustainably, primarily by avoiding waste, but also by using recycled materials and more efficient production processes.
  • Environmental criteria weigh as heavily as functionality, aesthetics, ergonomics, safety and economic value.
  • A nice example of a well-considered, energy-saving application in the project is the cantilevering dune on top of the ground floor and the terraces of the hotel tower. These cantilever out from the external joinery and provide shade in the hot summer months. Combined with night cooling, this will significantly reduce the demand for active cooling.
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As coordinating and executive architects, we help the designing architects with all technical and financial issues so that they can fully focus on the design. We also monitor the implementation and ensure that the objectives and plan are always crystal clear for all partners, so that together we can realise our dreams.

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Gevel Casino

Installation of wood siding.

All 150 pieces.
Each 3x3 m high.
A rate of 15/day.

Or in say two weeks the casino is wrapped with an Accoya* wood 'voile'!
The wooden facade is anchored to the terraces with steel brackets.

*Produced sustainably and with a low carbon footprint, Accoya is actively contributing to a circular, bio-based economy.

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BIM

BIM modeller Alexander Vandenberghe, flanked by Laura Rombaut, had no less than two months to model between the approval of the building application and the start of construction. In other words, the site was on the heels of virtual construction. Apart from designing and making sure all elements were right down to the last centimetre, he also coordinated the models of the other disciplines in between.

Geometrically, the casino is one big challenge. Alexander prefers to talk about opportunities. Straight elements are scarce in the model. With visual programming, our modellers created all the geometries in this model without using traditional manual tools.

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"The casino building is in a very special location between dike and dune which requires a well-founded interpretation of the existing normative framework in order to arrive at a feasible and sustainable whole. A complex decision process that requires extensive expertise from specialists. A butt of the BB hand, therefore.😅" dixit project architect Klaas Calle.

Our experts

From Team Architecture (private sector East and West Flanders) (3)

Elien Coppitters 2714

ir. arch. Elien Coppitters

Project architect
E-mail |
Tatjana 569 A1614 Gemiddeld

ir. arch. Tatjana Bogaert

Project architect
E-mail |
Klaas 569 A0538 Gemiddeld

dr. ir. arch. Klaas Calle

Project architect
E-mail |

From Team Computer Aided Design & BIM (2)

Alexander 569 A1665 Gemiddeld

arch. Alexander Vandenberghe

Technical designer
BIM-modeller
E-mail |
Laura 569 A6623 Gemiddeld

arch. Laura Rombaut

Technisch ontwerper
BIM-modelleur

From Team Sustainability, Energy & Comfort (3)

Jona 569 A6702 Large

ir. arch. Jona Van Steenkiste

Energy and sustainability advisor
EPB reporter
E-mail |
Katrien 569 A0552 Gemiddeld

ir. arch. Katrien Van Lierop

Energy and sustainability advisor
E-mail |
Emma 569 A0561 Gemiddeld

ir. arch. Emma Van De Steene

Energy and sustainability advisor
E-mail |

From Team Façade engineering (1)

Raf 569 A3809 Gemiddeld

arch. Raf De Preter

Expert construction details
Façade advisor
E-mail |

From Team Knowledge Innovation & Technology (1)

Jan Moens kennispartner 3379

prof. arch. Jan Moens

General Director
Head of Research & Development Department
Managing Director
E-mail |

From Team Safety (1)

B B Ken Koolsaet 7293 Large

Ken Coolsaet

Advisor flat roofs
Safety coordinator
E-mail |
TAGS: Executive architect| BIM