'De Zande' Youth Institution Beernem


Buro II - Cenergie

  • Status:

    Realized

  • Address:

    Sint-Andreas 5, 8730 Beernem

  • Client:

    Flemish government, Agency for Youth Welfare

  • Keywords:

    Low-energy building, Passive building, Masterplan

  • Contest:

    Open Call 1

  • Programme:

    1st phase masterplan: new school building, atelier classrooms, theory classrooms, toilets

  • Area:

    1317m2

  • Number of classrooms:

    12 classrooms


Energy-efficient building using the passive house concept

The school building of the Closed Institution for young girls in Beernem is the first phase of a masterplan for the complete rehabilitation of the institute. The following phases will include the sports complex and the group accommodation in closed, semi-open and open residential groups. The masterplan is conceived around an axis which serves as a street for the institution. The girls follow the route from closed to more open regimes before they are released.

One important factor in the renovation of the institution was the focus on energy efficient construction. An additional investment budget was provided for this, although this will be regained in 7-10 years’ time as a result of the lower energy needs. As energy prices rise, the earn-back period will become even shorter. The school building for this youth institute also serves as an example in the field of sustainability and is unique in Flanders in this respect. It was built in accordance with the energy concept of a passive house.

First and foremost, it was decided to build a compact building with an optimal ratio between the useable floor space and the building envelope. The building is given excellent thermal insulation (30 cm in the walls and 40 cm in the roof) and in addition, the skin of the building is entirely airtight. The circulation areas are arranged outside so that a maximum of teaching space could be provided. The corridors are passageways around the building and are to some extent protected by the frames with blinds. These form an independent structure to avoid cold bridges. The classrooms can be accessed in pairs by means of a shared lobby.

The orientation of the building took into account the passive solar gains. These gains are kept under control with the mobile blinds to prevent overheating and the need for an energy-consuming air conditioning.

The thermal mass of the concrete is used to buffer the temperature fluctuations. Consequently, no false ceilings could be used, and new solutions had to be found for acoustics and for the installation of the technical systems.