Urban Architectes

Crac Building

CRAC BUILDING

Urban Architectes

Crac Building
© Charlotte Lamby / Julien Forthomme

PROGRAM / USE / BUILDING FUNCTION
Office Building

CONSTRUCTION
Machiels Building Solutions

MANUFACTURERS
Vextorworks

AREA
2200 M²

YEAR
2018

LOCATION
Namur, Belgium

CATEGORY
Office Buildings, Sustainability

Crac Building
© Charlotte Lamby / Julien Forthomme

« Crac » is a public management organization located in the heart of the city.

The project involved energy and aesthetic renovation of the building envelope while maintaining the building's activity.

Ultimately, the operation reduced the building's energy consumption for heating and cooling by a ratio of 1 to 10! These performances are now better than those required for a new building.

Crac Building
© Charlotte Lamby / Julien Forthomme
Crac Building
© Charlotte Lamby / Julien Forthomme
Crac Building
© Charlotte Lamby / Julien Forthomme

The construction concept was based on a simple idea: to wrap the entire building in a new prefabricated insulating skin, without touching the existing façade.

This meant that employees could remain in the building while avoiding the costs of moving twice and having to stop work.

Following a digital scan of the entire facade, dozens of prefabricated wood panels were fixed to the existing balconies, revealing the whole volume in just a few days.

Crac Building
© Charlotte Lamby / Julien Forthomme
Crac Building
© Charlotte Lamby / Julien Forthomme
Crac Building
© Charlotte Lamby / Julien Forthomme

All the building's new technology was placed in the gap created between the old and new facades, to enable the occupants to continue working in the best possible conditions.

The existing façade was dismantled and removed as soon as the new façade was operational.

Crac Building
© Charlotte Lamby / Julien Forthomme
Crac Building
© Charlotte Lamby / Julien Forthomme

The project also gives the building a new architectural expression, fully consistent with its construction system.

The materials used are simple, and light and emphasize the connections between the panels. The contrast between aluminum and yellow highlights the entrance device and sunshades.

Crac Building
© Charlotte Lamby / Julien Forthomme
Crac Building
© Charlotte Lamby / Julien Forthomme

The inside of the skin, in contact with the building's interior spaces, is warmer: the interior fir wood finishes contrast with the technological character of the exterior façade, offering a soothing dimension to the spaces.

The construction of a series of furniture units integrated into the facade takes advantage of the interstitial space, offering occupants new storage facilities.

Crac Building
© Charlotte Lamby / Julien Forthomme


Crac Building
© Charlotte Lamby / Julien Forthomme
Crac Building
© Charlotte Lamby / Julien Forthomme
Crac Building
© Charlotte Lamby / Julien Forthomme


Crac Building
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Crac Building
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Crac Building
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Crac Building
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Crac Building
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Urban Architectes
T +32 81 201949
Urban Architectes
Rue Villana 34A, 5100 Namur, Belgium