A future-proof sports hall in Wevelgem

Sustainable design with circular benefits by Corbey Ringoir Architects and kollektif landscape

The municipal primary school in Wevelgem is being extended with a sports hall: a project conceived as sustainable as possible, with numerous circular assets. Corbey Ringoir Architects and kollektif landscape were commissioned to develop their submitted design. The result is a sports hall that is adaptable and future-proof.

A sports hall on the existing primary school site in Wevelgem, which can also be used by local sports clubs in the evenings and at weekends. That was the description of the works in the municipality's tender. A circular tender, which was won and developed by Corbey Ringoir Architects and kollektif landschape, in collaboration with the design offices Tech3 (techniques) and Stabico (stability).

At the material level, the designers focused on reuse. For instance, the façade of the sports hall is cemented with bastard mortar: the binding agent consists of 50% lime and 50% cement, so that the bricks can be easily cleaned and recovered. Concrete clinkers from the existing playground will be reused to make new planters and benches. The soil excavated for the cisterns and foundations will be reused in the construction of play mounds. Heat generation for the sports hall will be fossil-free, including through geothermal energy.

Furthermore, the design of the sports hall is such that everything should benefit the later adaptability of the building. By adding an extra floor plate, another floor with classrooms can be created, for instance. And the roof made of laminated beams can easily be dismantled.