R&N1a

O&N1bis is a research building at KU Leuven. It houses both the Molecular Small Animal Imaging Centre (moSAIC) and the Competence Center for Anatomy and a diversity of biotechnology laboratories. Ingenium was responsible for both the design and follow-up of the technical installation, the mandatory feasibility study and the energy study within the framework of a renewed environmental permit.

Colleges and universities

Client

Catholic University of Leuven

Contact

Stefaan Saeys

‍Designer/Architect

Abscis Architecten bvba

‍Location

Herestraat 49 3000 Leuven

Construction cost:

€15,914,305 (excluding VAT)

‍Surface.

10.750 m²

‍Period ofstudy

2015 - 2017

‍Period ofimplementation】.

December 2017–June 2020

‍

Services

Management and control of implementation up to VOPL/DOPL

Preliminary design of building services & design competition

A multifunctional research building at KU Leuven's Gasthuisberg campus

The O&N1 bis building, with an area of 10,750 m² , houses the Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center (moSAIC) with MRI facilities, the Anatomy Skills Center, and four floors of biotechnology laboratories.

Ingenium handled the entire design and supervision of the technical systems, as well as the required feasibility study and energy study as part of the environmental permit process.

The project was carried out in collaboration with Abscis Architecten and the structural engineering firm Norbert Provoost.

Specific Technical Challenges

Research buildings often combine a variety of functions, each with its own technical requirements. At O&N1 bis, medical imaging, anatomy education, and biotechnology research came together in a single building. The challenge was to technically harmonize these three areas—each with specific climate, safety, and flexibility requirements—without compromising operational efficiency or comfort. KU Leuven asked Ingenium not only to provide the technical design but also to conduct the necessary studies for the environmental permit and to assess the feasibility of the energy concept. In addition, the building had to remain flexible: the biotech laboratories needed to be configurable in modules, so that their specific use could be determined later without modifying the basic structure.

Technical design for all building levels

Ingenium developed the complete technical design for all building levels. In the basement, we designed the systems for the Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, including the infrastructure for MRI facilities. For the two floors of the Anatomy Skills Center, we designed dissection rooms, practical training areas, and classrooms. Because anatomy education requires very specific ventilation concepts—separate air handling to control odors and health risks—we built and tested a pilot setup to validate the system’s performance in advance. This allowed us to ensure a healthy working and learning environment.

Flexibility

We designed the four upper floors as modular biotech laboratories with accompanying office spaces. All technical systems were planned in such a way that each module can be configured or adapted individually. This flexibility also allows for phased construction: the primary technical infrastructure is installed first, and the final layout follows later as research needs evolve. Due to the diversity of functions, numerous types of systems were integrated: medical and laboratory gases, various water distribution systems (municipal water, RO water, process water, rainwater), passenger and freight elevators, anatomy-specific equipment, and multiple ventilation and air-conditioning concepts. Ingenium handled the integration and coordination of these systems.

BIM in a Complex Environment

For this project, we used BIM to manage the complexity. We performed dynamic thermal and energy simulations to predict energy performance and comfort levels. Design processes such as the sizing of building systems components, lighting calculations, and the preparation of bills of quantities were automated. Through clash detection across the various discipline models, we prevented conflicts between architecture, structural engineering, and building systems. Ingenium monitored the construction process through the preliminary and final acceptance phases.