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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Astro Tower in Brussels, Belgium by Estudio LamelaFebruary 24th, 2017 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Estudio Lamela Today the Astro Tower in Brussels (Belgium) is presented, which after its renovation—led by Estudio Lamela and its Belgianpartners Altiplan Architects—becomes Europe’s tallest green building in terms of energy consumption and savings. The project represents the profoundrefurbishment of an icon of the city to respond to the requirements of sustainability required by a 21st century city. At the same time, it renews the skyline of the city. “When we won the contest in 2010, we opted forcompletely rehabilitating the building from the original structure and preserving its essence. To do this, we replaced the facades with others that provide more luminosity and, more importantly, we gained the energy control of the tower,“ affirms Carlos Lamela, director of Estudio Lamela.  Image Courtesy © George de Kinder
 Image Courtesy © George de Kinder The Astro Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the European capital—113 metres tall and 41 floors (32 of offices), built in 1974 by the architect Albert Donker—will be certified Bâtiment Passif 2014 and 2015. This accreditation verifies that it is a building that is almost self-sufficient from an energy point of view. In particular, the Astro Tower reduces energy consumption by up to 90% and reduces heating costs by 60%.  Image Courtesy © George de Kinder  Image Courtesy © George de Kinder “For Estudio Lamela it is a privilege to conclude the renovation of a building with these characteristics. One, because the Astro Tower is now a milestone in Europe in terms of energy efficiency in a high-rise. But, also, intervening in existing architecture is a challenge: it involves living with an already created work and looking for the formulas and ways that one can—while respecting the original concept—innovate and update the building,“ says Carlos Lamela.  Image Courtesy © George de Kinder  Image Courtesy © George de Kinder The project has substantially improved the insulation and waterproofing of the facades to avoid energy losses. Triple glass with solar factor control has been used to regulate the exchange. In addition, electricity consumption and air conditioning are constrained and regulated by more efficient systems. For example, radiant ceiling air conditioning (plafond actif) is used. The use of these techniques and state-of-the-art systems situates the Astro Tower as a high-rise benchmark inglobal green architecture.  Image Courtesy © George de Kinder  Image Courtesy © George de Kinder From an aesthetic point of view, the facades (made from glass with vertical steel bands) are extended on the topfloors to increase the feeling of slenderness and to hide the technical installations set back on the roof. The project has involved the renovation of 52,600 m2, of which some 41,000 m2 have been above ground. The Astro Tower will fulfill the mission of being the headquarters of Actiris, the public body that is in charge of helping to find employment in the region of Brussels, which from this moment on will centralize its activity in the tallest green building in Europe.  Image Courtesy © George de Kinder  Image Courtesy © George de Kinder Estudio Lamela is an architectural firm founded by Antonio Lamela and directed by Carlos Lamela, with an international presence and offices in Madrid, Warsaw, Mexico City and Qatar. Ever since its foundation, it has been considered one of the most prestigious architectural firms in Spain. Estudio Lamela has developed more than 1,600 projects in 32 countries. It is a founding member of the European Architects Network (EAN), anorganization that since 2001 has been considered the most prestigious union of architectural firms in Europe. Some buildings that define its work and trajectory are the Santiago Bernabéu football stadium (Madrid) and the T-4 of the Madrid-Barajas airport. This latter project wasundertaken in collaboration with the British architect Richard Rogers.  Image Courtesy © Estudio Lamela  Image Courtesy © Estudio Lamela  Image Courtesy © Estudio Lamela  Image Courtesy © Estudio Lamela
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Categories: Building, Office Building, office Complex, Offices, Tower |
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