Passive Office - AVDK Architecten Vande Kerckhove

For the new offices the architects deliberately have chosen to build a passive construction, mainly from the interest and curiosity to develop a sustainable project. This project is realized within the framework of the existing shed, box-in-a-box. The shed (400m²) is characterized by a steel structure and brick walls.

Only half of the shed is used for the offices, which are located to the south. The other half of the shed is flexible in use, ranging from a studio to a gym for staff. This space also acts as the anti-chamber to absorb excessive heat or cold. Next to the offices, there is a south-oriented garden.

An optimal air tightness was created from the foundations up to the sealing of windows and various connections, resulting in a measurement of n50 = 0:20 1/h. The passive cooling by night ventilation combined with solid construction (inertia) results in a pleasant climate throughout the whole day. Automated parts in the south facade and dormer windows provide an opening through which a chimney effect cools the building during the night. In terms of heating a gas-condensing boiler from 4kW (fluctuating up to 9kW) and about 8 radiators 60×60 cm are used. A qualitative ventilation unit is installed with a recovery capacity of +/- 90% (Vallox).