The municipal primary school 't Mozaïek in Eernegem, a sub-municipality of Ichtegem, is undergoing a thorough renovation and expansion. The project encompasses the construction of new classrooms, new sanitary blocks, and a multipurpose space that can be used both as a kindergarten playroom and for external use. In addition, the existing classrooms, the cafeteria, and the gymnasium are being refreshed, and the playground is being greened.
For our structural engineers, the greatest challenge lay in seamlessly integrating the new buildings within the existing school site. At the same time, our building services engineers sought sustainable solutions that significantly enhance comfort for pupils and teachers.
't Mozaïek is located on the corner of Westkerkestraat and Oscar Willemsstraat. The historic entrance building dates from before 1900 and has been supplemented over the years with various extensions and renovations. The execution of the works proceeds in three major phases. In the first phase, the buildings along Oscar Willemsstraat are replaced by a modern new construction. Next, the buildings along Westkerkestraat are addressed. Finally, the existing buildings at the rear, perpendicular to Oscar Willemsstraat, are renovated.
Healthy Indoor Air
During the COVID-19 crisis, the air quality in classrooms at 't Mozaïek came emphatically to attention. To bring in sufficient fresh and healthy air, windows were often opened, which during the winter months led to significant heat losses. In addition, overheating caused by large glass surfaces during warm periods regularly posed a challenge.
The extensive renovation and new construction project of GBS 't Mozaïek offered the ideal opportunity to develop a high-quality and sustainable solution for this. Active ventilation is provided throughout the entire building complex to guarantee healthy indoor air quality. For this, we opt for a system D, in which heat and moisture from the extracted air are recovered.
To limit overheating, screens are installed on the skylights and on the south-facing windows of the new construction section, so that solar incidence is controlled. The new construction section of 't Mozaïek along Oscar Willemsstraat is furthermore sustainably heated with an energy-efficient air-to-water heat pump in combination with underfloor heating.
Serrated Roof
The two wings on either side of the historic entrance building along Westkerkestraat were opened up, so that the facades now extend to the building line. The right wing is given a new function as a cafeteria. Along Oscar Willemsstraat, a bicycle shed and new classrooms are built, while further down the street a new gymnasium is constructed.
At the new construction sections of 't Mozaïek, a terrace is provided on the side of the enclosed playgrounds. These terraces are covered with structures consisting of wooden beams.
The load-bearing structure of the new buildings consists of concrete columns, steel beams, and load-bearing walls in calcium silicate brick. A striking architectural feature is the roofs of the new classrooms along Oscar Willemsstraat. These are constructed with steel beams at the ridge and at the bottom, between which a wooden lattice framework is installed. The facade of this new building volume on the playground side is finished in wood. The remaining facades of 't Mozaïek, both of the existing and the new volumes, receive a white lime wash finish.
Construction partners:
* Ichtegem Municipal Authority – client * Kern Collectief Architecten (Bruges) - architect * Bekaert Building Company (Waregem) – structural works contractor * Vandewalle (Jabbeke) – HVAC and plumbing contractor * Installation company Geoffrey Dewitte (Menen) – electrical contractor * Orona (Waregem) – elevator contractor * BM Engineering Group (Kortrijk) – building services and structural engineering
