NEW TOWN HALL IN MIDDELKERKE

The new town hall of Middelkerke is being built on the site of the former swimming pool on the market square. Bouwgroep Cordeel is responsible for the design and construction, with architect Luc Binst (Binst Architects) as the lead designer. Construction will start in the fall of 2026 and will be completed at the end of 2028, after which the building will be put into use at the beginning of 2029. Ingenium will provide all the technical systems in the building.

‍

A sustainable building

The design team aims to create a sustainable building. A sustainable concept is much more than just a few energy-saving measures on the technical installations.

On the scale of sustainable urban development, we must seize the opportunity to improve the experience of the available space by providing meeting places, focusing on contact between work and public spaces, and creating high-quality spaces with inviting public green areas. These points of attention, among others, contribute to a social, demographic, and functional mix that fits the building as a high-quality space into the urban fabric.

Accessible architecture

The three-story building has a distinctive five-fingered volume that symbolizes an outstretched hand. This design creates a transparent, accessible architecture with a central atrium zone where natural light enters. Visitors have direct sightlines into the building and can explore it fully from the central atrium. The building contains a public ceremony hall and a roof terrace with views of the surrounding area.

The spatial impact is limited by the modest height and warm, subtle design that blends in well with the surroundings. The design prioritizes efficient and accessible services for citizens.

The market square will be closely linked to the town hall by removing the concrete canopy and adding greenery. An underground passageway through the current parking lot will improve mobility and circulation. This smoother transition between the square and the building will be achieved through evolving vegetation and a unique layout.

‍

Sustainable techniques

The municipality of Middelkerke wants to build a sustainable town hall. The tool we use for integrated sustainability is GRO. The level is improving. Ingenium monitors this level with the help of GRO.

‍

Some essential pillars in the field of technical sustainability:

• Free cooling in all rooms
• natural ventilation in the atrium to prevent overheating
• Sun protection to prevent overheating
• Use of LT heating and HT cooling using climate ceilings in the offices
• Dynamic simulations for summer comfort
• Limited glass roof in the atrium, sufficient to allow enough daylight in and not too much to prevent overheating.
• Flexible building with flexible technical installations
• Windows that open for user comfort
• Heating/cooling using geothermal drilling
• Monitoring energy consumption for easy adjustment
• PV panels

Material use and circularity:

• Reuse of existing materials:
• Circular design
• Flexible and adaptable
• Healthy and bio-based materials
• Robust and low-maintenance finishes
• Material passport via BIM model

‍

Warm design

Key features:

• Transparent architecture with sightlines to the interior
• Central atrium with natural daylight
• Public ceremonial hall
• Roof terrace with views of the surrounding area
• Efficient and accessible services

Spatial integration:

• Connection between market square and town hall
• Removal of concrete canopy
• Increased green planting on market square
• Underground passageway from parking lot to town hall

Warm, subtle design that blends into the environment with limited spatial impact.

‍