‘RUTE’ sustainable residential district

Project description:

In 2018, project developer Revive launched the conversion of the Sidaplax site into a sustainable residential area “RUTE” in Gentbrugge. Until 2011, window film for letter envelopes was produced on the site – or in the local dialect called “Rute”. More than a hundred houses and apartments are being built in a green yet centrally located neighbourhood. One central street leads to the underground car park and makes the site low on traffic, this in combination with the 6,000 m² park and the ‘Gentbrugse Meersen’ on walking distance makes it an extremely pleasant living environment.

Combining ambitious architecture with a comfortable yet sustainable character was the challenge facing the design team. For the design of the technical installations, it was first determined what the desired comfort level of the residents is (sufficient heating, cooling, enough sockets, warm ambient light, sanitary hot water supply, etc.) but keeping energy costs to a minimum.

This was made possible by repelling fossil fuels on site and applying sustainable techniques such as extensive insulation, heat pump and underfloor heating.

The heat pump is currently one of the most environmentally friendly ways to heat a home. Heat pumps obtain most of their energy from the environment (earth, water and air) and thus ensure a lower consumption than a traditional heating boiler.

Another cost-saving measure is good water management, by using rainwater and rainwater recovery for the toilets and outside taps.

In addition to the study and follow-up of the technical installations, boydens engineering was also responsible for the EPB and ventilation reporting. For building applications from 01/01/2016, it is mandatory to appoint a ventilation reporter in addition to the EPB reporter. This applies to new construction and energetic renovations and includes the coordination, design and follow-up towards actual ventilation flows.