Instead of demolishing the former Coca-Cola factory on the four-hectare site, the City hall and civic center recycled from former factory refurbishes the building and transforms its use, with significant grey energy and cost savings compared to new construction. The key idea of the project was not only to recycle the main construction and materials but also to reuse the space itself and its technical infrastructure. The simple but clever concepts for technical infrastructure include spatial organization according to thermal zones to reduce energy consumption, and effective deployment of natural lighting via a solar chimney and patio system.

Spanish architect Carlos Arroyo was presented with a Global Holcim Awards Finalist 2012 certificate for the City Hall and Civic Center recycled from former factory in Oostkamp, Belgium. The project developed by Carlos Arroyo Arquitectos, Spain + ELD Partnership, Belgium up-cycles the main construction and materials and also re-uses the space itself including the technical infrastructure.

The official opening of the new administration building for Oostkamp was held on June 15, 2012 and was followed by two “open days” on June 16/17. The transformation of this 41,000 square-meter site from a former Coca-Cola factory into a City Hall and Civic Center took 18 months and cost USD 8 million. The key idea was to not only recycle the main construction and materials but also to reuse the space itself and its technical infrastructure. Oostkamp is now the first municipality in Flanders to co-locate municipal and public welfare services in one building.

The Holcim Awards Silver was presented to a project that converts a former factory into a new City Hall and Civic Center for the city of Oostkamp in Belgium. The key idea of Spanish Carlos Arroyo Arquitectos is not only to recycle the main structure and materials but also to re-use the space itself and its technical infrastructure. Distinctive interiors made of glass-reinforced gypsum and recycled paper complement the layout of modular clusters which are arranged according to thermal zones: the “thermal onion” design reduces energy consumption significantly. The project delivers maximum effect through the least possible degree of technical intervention and minimal financial investment. The open main hall is an outstanding example for transparency in governmental architecture.

Beside its sustainable construction, the project was considered remarkable by the jury in terms of its social sustainability due to a participatory planning process, including the 170 council employees. The joint accumulation of the program, its process and the resulting design for the open main hall is an outstanding example for transparency in governmental architecture.