The "Faculty of Sciences Master Plan" project for Ghent University consists of a thorough renovation of the Ledeganck complex in Ghent.

The site, with a total gross floor area of 42,584 m², houses both teaching spaces (auditoriums, classrooms, and lab rooms, etc.) and research facilities (departmental laboratories), as well as the GUM (Ghent University Museum). The Faculty of Sciences at Ghent University has experienced steady growth over the years, causing the existing building complex to reach its limits in terms of accommodating the diversity of departments and (laboratory) applications. Furthermore, the 40-year-old building complex no longer met standards for accessibility, safety, and fire safety; a thorough renovation was also necessary in terms of technical systems and laboratory equipment.

The renovation is proceeding according to a phased plan in which the entire complex will be completely renovated and adapted in five distinct phases to meet current (legal) requirements regarding fire safety, comfort standards, and other criteria, while maintaining the specific characteristics required of a laboratory environment. Taking into account the proposed relocation plans for the various departments, the renovation of three other buildings on the De Sterre campus (N1, S5, and S12) has also been included in the project.

The master plan thus comprised 8 subprojects:

• LED Step 1 – Renovation Phase I: Low-Rise Buildings
• LED Step 2 – Phase I Renovation of High-Rise Buildings
• LED Steps 3 & 4 – Renovation Phase II: East-West
• LED Step 5 – Renovation Phase III
• N1 INW Redevelopment
• Redesign of the S5 Campus in Sterre
• Redesign of the S12 Campus in Sterre

Ingenium has been involved in the implementation of this step-by-step plan since early 2009. Using a master plan approach, Ingenium first conducted research into a sustainable approach to the building envelope. Various scenarios were examined using dynamic simulations and evaluated in terms of feasibility, investment, comfort, and energy savings. Ultimately, the decision was made to install a completely new, high-performance curtain wall for steps 2 through 4—namely, the high-rise building and Phase II, the largest subprojects of the complex.

A comprehensive review of heat production, conducted by Ingenium, also led to the integration of the Ledeganck complex’s boiler room with that of the adjacent greenhouses. This resulted in a new, centralized production system. The new heating plant now consists of a combination of condensing gas boilers and combined heat and power (CHP) units, with the latter providing the bulk of the heat and electricity for the entire complex, which covers approximately 42,584 m².

The design of the technical equipment is geared toward a modern and dynamic laboratory environment, where flexibility and comfort are core values. This resulted in a system equipped with a ring-type ventilation system, a central ductwork structure for electrical power distribution, and more. Given the diversity of departments and the dynamic use of laboratory equipment, these are investments that will pay for themselves over time and add value to the facilities. This allows office spaces to be converted into lab spaces (and vice versa) without requiring drastic changes to the systems.

In addition to traditional HVAC, plumbing, specialty gases, and electrical systems, the scope of work also included Type II water distribution and the outfitting of the growth chambers. The complex is now fully operational and being used by various departments at Ghent University, and the final phase, LEDStap 5, was completed in 2019.