A striking new addition is rising in Park Nieuw Zuid in Antwerp: the 85-metre-high BAN residential tower, designed by renowned architect Shigeru Ban in collaboration with Bureau Bouwtechniek. With its wooden cladding and spacious inner garden, the tower exudes tranquillity and a connection to nature. It is a unique project that focuses on wood, gardens and people.
With BAN, Shigeru Ban aimed to create more than just a residential tower. He has created a place where people can relax in the heart of the city. The spacious inner garden forms the building's green heart and is inspired by the Japanese concept of Shinrin-Yoku, which involves immersing oneself in nature to promote mental and physical wellbeing. This concept is evident throughout the tower, from its spatial layout to its materials.
It is no coincidence that wood plays a leading role in the design. Ban is renowned for his preference for natural materials, and BAN is no exception. The facade is completely clad in LDCwood® ThermoWood® pine, which has been treated with a fire retardant by Lemahieu Fire Protection®. The combination of brushed surfaces and varying profiles gives the building a warm, natural appearance which contrasts with its urban surroundings.
HYBRID CONSTRUCTION WITH A SUSTAINABLE CHARACTER
Technically speaking, BAN is a hybrid construction in which concrete, steel and wood complement each other. However, it is mainly the wooden facade that defines the street scene. For Shigeru Ban, wood is about more than just aesthetics: “I like working with wood, and the CO₂ emissions are much lower than when working mainly with steel or concrete,” he explains.
The vision is in line with the sustainability objectives of client Triple Living and the expertise of LDCwood® ThermoWood® and Lemahieu Group, who were responsible for the delivery and fire retardant treatment of the wood. Thanks to their integrated production process, whereby both ThermoWood® and the fire retardant treatment are carried out on a single site, the company was able to guarantee a certified, high-quality end product.
A PROJECT WITH UNIQUE CHALLENGES
Although the tower is still under construction, the project's challenges are already clear. The specific fire safety requirements necessitated extensive testing, especially given the large-scale use of wood. In addition, delivering the required volume of wood – unique for a building of this size – on time and correctly was a logistical feat.
Collaborating with partners such as the main contractor, Van Laere, and the engineering firm, Bureau Bouwtechniek, played a crucial role in this. Thanks to close coordination between all parties, the project team was able to meet technical requirements without compromising the architectural vision.
WOOD AS A REUSABLE AND ECOLOGICAL MATERIAL
As well as its visual and structural importance, sustainability is a common theme throughout this project. The pine wood used comes from sustainably managed forests and is fully reusable. Furthermore, the production processes of LDCwood® and Lemahieu Fire Protection® contribute to a minimal ecological footprint.
For Lemahieu Fire Protection®, this project is a significant milestone: collaborating with a world-renowned architect, supplying a large volume of wood and showcasing their expertise in sustainable and fireresistant wood use through the wooden facade make BAN a key example of their work.
Images: © Triple Living
Article: Architectura, BAN: Houten woontoren brengt rust en natuur naar Nieuw Zuid
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