AGC head office by SAMYN and PARTNERS is a near-zero energy building

situated in louvain-la-neuve, belgium, the head office of AGC glass europe is completed by philippe SAMYN and PARTNERS as a highly sustainable, timeless and contemporary workplace. the complex follows the route of the N4 highway, respecting the natural landforms, and stands on silts as if floating above the rolling landscape. in terms of cardinal points (15°), its orientation is slightly off-kilter but this guarantees a significant amount of sunshine and views. 

bird’s eye view of the AGC building complex 
image (above and main) © jean-michel byl 

philippe SAMYN and PARTNERS, in collaboration with BEAI, conceived the project with great respect to the natural surroundings of the AGC complex. slipped under the offices and following the natural slope, a parking area was added to preserve the meadowy greenery and fine oaks. given the hilly nature of the context, the impact of the landscape is subtle — thus creating vehicle access through a long hollow path dug into the earth. finally, the site is fenced in by hawthorn hedges — impenetrable despite their modest height (1.5 m)–  without compromising the view of AGC offices. the roofs of the patios are intensively planted with luzula sylvatica evergreens, while parking skylights allow trees with light foliage to be planted at the heart of the building.

green buffer fences the building complex with more natural boundaries
image © jean michel byl 

in terms of performance, near-zero energy is achieved ‘through the use of efficient materials (energy-saving circulation, regulation etc.) and reliance on renewable energy (photovoltaic panels, ground probes, heat pumps etc.)’, as explained by the team. indeed being qualified of an excellent level by BREEAM in the design phase, the near-zero energy project signed by philippe SAMYN and PARTNERS in association with general van roey becomes an eye-catching landmark. 

the parking area is discreetly positioned under the building
image © fotografie

AGC staff and visitors are welcomed by a glazed main entrance hall, complementing the peripheral glass façades fitted with sun shades that automatically turn towards the sun. the diffused light filtration provided by these slides is due to their surfaces being treated and printed with alternate bands of white. meanwhile, all other openings are equipped with removable blinds made of bamboo wood. the coating of the insulated and lightweight opaque spandrel glass maximizes heat reflection through glass panels etched on the outside and enamelled on the inside. hence, the project demonstrates numerous uses of glass-based products (vision, sand spandrel, LED, screen-printed, photovoltaic panels etc.) to best showcase the AGC products; the entrance to the building, in particular, is signposted by a large glass sculpture. 

the double skin façade with its glass louvres
image © jean michel byl

based on that, the internal office layout evenly plotted onto a square plan, is determined by natural lighting and the quality of views. the duality between compactness (energy performances) and layout (visual comfort,well-being) has resulted in the division of the plan into four wings, arranged around large exterior patios enlivened by wind, rain or sun. 84 % of workstations are positioned less than four meters from the walls; 95 % enjoy an unobstructed outside view and 100 % of meeting rooms have both these features. 

workers benefit from a real natural lighting
image © marie-françoise plissart

the departmental organisation at AGC glass is flexible and its interior design can adapt to changes through open-plan areas, closed offices or separate wings if necessary. the same flexibility applies to meeting areas and restaurants where space is divided, as stipulated in the blueprint, by using movable and acoustic partition walls. in the interests of a user-friendly workplace, it is best to have open-plan areas on the south elevation but ultimately, all shared areas and meeting zones are strategically centralized or situated near a staircase, terrace/ patio with a particular view.

the conference hub combines all meeting rooms which can be independently managed and used by visitors at AGC. each room is fitted with audiovisual equipment and enjoys outdoor views with natural lighting . the restaurant area stretches along the western elevation and opens up to the outdoors via large terraces, comfortably accommodating 180 people with its lounge bar. the kitchen, stocked with professional equipment, receives deliveries from a separate service lift and can cater to the restaurant, conference centre and gallery for any events. while materials used on the outer façade are glass and metal, the interiors are fitted mainly with wood (floor, partition walls, furniture etc.).

colorful mural works designed by georges meurant 
image © marie-françoise plissart

crosswise to the office wings, a gallery provides an obligatory route for everyone and becomes the point of convergence for all building services. the generous size of the space – 10 m high, 13.5 m wide and 83.7 m long – makes it an ideal venue for various events like informal employee meetings, launch parties, conferences at the foot of the great staircase (on tiered seats) etc.. additionally, the gallery provides access to all useful areas in the building: reception desk and associated services, restaurant with its terraces to the west, conference centre and each of the eight office wings (to which access is controlled).

the internal office layout determined by natural light and quality of views
image ©marie-françoise plissart 

the restaurant can comfortably accommodate 180 people
image © serge brison

a gallery provides an obligatory route for everyone in the building
image ©marie-françoise plissart / © colors: georges meurant

the new head office is spread over two levels, connected by stairs
image ©marie-françoise plissart / © colors: georges meurant

SAMYN and PARTNERS AGC head office illuminated by night
image © ghislain andré

the panels create diffused and striped views
image © marie-françoise plissart 

project info:

client: AGC glass europe
location: louvain-la-neuve, belgium
period: 2010 – 2014

lead architecture and engineering: philippe samyn and partners
in collaboration with: BEAI, bernard van damme
partners in charge: ghislain andré, jacques ceyssens
associates: c. bazier, s. buemi, th. cooreman, f. defrenne, s. dehasque, n. duvivier, a. fayt, r. gijbels, d. gundes, k. harnak, o. jottard, n. l’abbate, c. lizin, d. mélotte, e. papacosta, f. tebaldi, s. tourbach, s. van der meer.

above ground level: 10,923 sqm
surrounding area: 6,475 sqm
parking space: 6,383 sqm

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edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom