Stylish air intake and fumes extraction through the façade

AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp is located in the halls of the city’s old slaughterhouse. After thorough renovation, the halls and a new tower form the hub for students in STEM. Large windows and exposed concrete define the flow of the façade. But most eye-catching of all are the round shapes in the concrete. These supply light, views, and fresh air to the areas behind.

Since the City Slaughterhouse closed down in 2006, the slaughterhouse site and neighbourhood have been abandoned. Yet, the site has so much potential. Eventually, the City Council commissioned project developers Triple Living and Immobel to create an ambitious master plan. This plan outlines an innovative district in terms of architecture, greenery, public domain, building function, etc. As such, it forms the blueprint for 18 hectares of new city, completely transforming the Slachthuissite, Noordschippersdok, and Lobroekkade zones. It will accommodate residents, but also local retailers, food services, creative initiatives, and students. The hi-tech campus – which covers a grand total of 22,000 m² – is the perfect addition to this varied site.

The Slaughterhouse halls have been completely transformed, while also respecting the historical building. The concrete has been carefully restored, which was quite a feat of engineering. The concrete façade, for example, is in some places barely 9 centimetres thick. A new 8-storey tower now annexes the renovated halls. This is mainly filled with classrooms, and is also a base for the school’s administrative staff. “It was an incredible opportunity to create our new campus in this fantastic building, which is a real city landmark for many people living here,” says a representative from AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp. 

Home for students

Triple Living, one of Antwerp’s largest developers, won the design contest for the Slachthuissite and teamed up with OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen, architectural firm. Since the new campus is intended for STEM courses at AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp, many laboratory areas have been included. That makes technology an important aspect in the project, putting ventilation and fume extraction high on the list of priorities. “For the laboratory areas on the first floor, we could easily let in a supply of fresh air from outside and extract contaminated air via the roof,” explains Inga Karen, from OFFICE KGDVS in Brussels. “The situation was more challenging on the ground floor. This meant we needed to organise an air supply via the façade. We sought an aesthetic solution that also satisfied the demands for comfort.”

The round openings are an addition to the familiar façade. Other than that, no great changes were made to the shell of the building. “The round openings sit within the existing rhythm of the façade but still give the building a new identity. The technology, such as ventilation channels connected to the round openings, has been kept visible. Given the amount of technology, OFFICE KGDVS developed a suitable framework for its integration. Thanks to the choice of materials and colours they also blend beautifully with the existing concrete structures, immediately creating a harmonized appearance. The flowing façade with natural anodised aluminium profiles and black doors – and other opening parts – in black also enriches the harmonious look.

Resting on intermediate mezzanine-style floors, the ventilation units and ducts remain subtly visible in the space. These technical ‘floors’ are situated above the laboratories. This is partly for aesthetic and partly for practical reasons. Working with a mezzanine meant the architects and contractors could minimise alterations to the existing concrete structure. Lowered ceilings were neither possible nor desirable.

Round façade louvres, no flange

The team of architects integrated three rows of openings in the concrete sections of the building’s shell. The top two rows are round windows only, which draw light into the rooms on the first floor. The bottom row serves the ground floors and is a mixture of windows and ventilation louvres. Inga Karen continues, “We calculated the required flow rates, and then determined the number of ventilation louvres that were necessary based on these calculations. The requirements in terms of fume extraction were also decisive.” A total of 81 round 421R ZF Renson louvres were integrated in the façade. In terms of colour, the louvres match the round windows, which have black appearance.

Furthermore, the louvres in this project have no flange, so they lie perfectly flat with the façade, just like the windows in the other openings. “Since new holes had been drilled in the existing concrete construction, there was nothing to stop us from installing both the louvres and windows from the outside,” says Koen Schoemaekers from Group Ceyssens, explaining the choice of flangeless louvres. Group Ceyssens, an expert in glass and façade projects, installed the characteristic round louvres. “As with the round windows, it was necessary to seal these louvres on the outside with a silicone filler, level with the wall, for painting later. We made an EPDM sleeve for each one on the internal side of the louvres, creating a complete seal and water tightness.”

Louvres without an outer flange are also atypical for Renson. But Koen did not hesitate for one moment before asking the question. “I know that Renson always joins a project with great enthusiasm and has the courage to take big steps in order to find the best solution,” he says. Group Ceyssens made customised brackets for the placement of the louvres, in order to tighten stainless screws without damaging the louvres. The placement went smoothly.

The beautiful result is a story of smooth collaboration, open-mindedness and clear communication. Gert Van Hoof, project manager at Triple Living concludes: “Throughout the building process, the school was open to the architects’ bold approach. That led to this beautiful end result. We were very pleased to hand over the building to the school on 30 August 2024. In the new academic year, some 2,000 students will be trained there.”