Architect: David Chipperfield Architects with BB
Client: VDD project development BV
Advisors: Origin (restauration), Arjaan De Feyter (interior), Mouton (stability), HP engineers (techniques), Macobo (acoustics), Advice for all (safety coordination)
Location: Nieuwpoort
Surface: 15.150 m²
Timing: 2018 -
Budget: € 23.000.000
Status: design phase
©Tim Fisher
Project Support I Collaboration
Technical Advice I EPR
Renovation, restoration and new construction of the listed Hotel Le Grand, later known as White Residence.
The building, dating from 1924, is one of the most iconic on the Belgian coast. The 'White Residence' is a textbook example of art deco and was formerly better known as 'Le Grand Hotel'. In 1981, the natural stone and plastered brick façades were already protected, as were parts of the interior.
Special features
- High-rise building (approx. 30 m high)
- Frontal sea location (salty climate, strong wind and rain loads).
In combination with the highrise a challenge in the field of detailing. - Arched self-supporting facade masonry.
The facade on the Zeedijk is characterised by an extra-large arch with a span of 10 m that is suspended from the supporting structure. - Working in the context of a partially protected heritage site.
The new extension is based on a design and materiality similar to the existing historic building layers but with subtle differences. The design is based on calibrated new bricks instead of the cemented existing bricks with simili-Euville plaster. The abstracted arch forms in the new façade sections stand alongside the strongly decorated arch forms in the existing façades. - Fire safety in a historic and partially protected building.
Challenges
On the existing building of 4 upper storeys, 4 additional storeys are mounted, 2 in the facade (+4 and +5) and 2 under the roof (+6 and +7). A challenge for the existing construction and floor structure.
- New concrete columns (skeleton) in the facade carry the extra loads downwards, both via the facades and (via floor) to the spine walls (2).
- The new floors are therefore a balancing act between minimal weight vs acoustic comfort.
Circularity and sustainability
- Upgrading an existing building
- Sustainable techniques: the entire building is heated with geothermal energy and solar panels
Bureau Bouwtechniek
BB is responsible for the complete construction engineering support of the architects during the design process, the submission of the environmental permit, the preparation of the execution plans, the development of technical details, the preparation of the architectural specifications and the estimation. BB leads the control of the execution and is EPB reporter.
Team BB: ir. arch. Arno Van Hulle, ir. arch Elien Coppitters, ir. arch. Dana Dee, ir. arch. Febe Lanckmans, Hanne Van Brabant, ir. arch. Jona Van Steenkiste, ing. Julie Huybrighs, arch. Lieselot Prinsie. ir. arch. Marleen Meulenbergs, arch. Raf De Preter, arch. Ruben Van Vooren, ir. arch. Thijs Verfaillie