After the old VGC office building in Kortrijk was stripped of all its wear and tear, only a concrete ruin of slabs and columns remained. The architects of OFFICE took this as their starting point: they added an independent, self-supporting structure of shafts and terraces to the exterior of the skeleton, thus guiding the old office building into the 21st century. Vertical concrete shafts house the technical installations while simultaneously supporting the horizontally cantilevered terrace canopies. Each shaft is connected to the existing skeleton only horizontally at each floor level. The terrace canopies, precast concrete slabs with a thickness of 16 cm, counterbalance the vertically rhythmized façade through their playful, circular perforations. By filling these openings with circular glass blocks, light is given free rein. Several mock-ups during the construction phase allowed for verification and adjustment. A stately concrete cornice completes the architectural composition.

FEBE Elements Awards 2021 Outstanding Precast-award : Renovation of an office building, Kortrijk (OFFI-14-AFM), architect : OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen