The family wellness resort Waer Waters in Groot-Bijgaarden has been constantly evolving and growing since its opening. 3Architecten designed the expansion with a four-star hotel and additional beauty cabins. In doing so, an even greater balance was sought between optimal comfort, impeccable hygiene, and energy-efficient operation.
"We had felt for some time that we needed more space," says Waer Waters managing director Sarah Coppens. "On the one hand because we receive more and more customers, but we also wanted to adjust the original concept. People stay here an average of 4 to 5 hours. We notice that they spend less than half of that time in the saunas or swimming pools. That's why we need to pay even more attention to the other spaces. For example, 6 cabins for beauty treatments quickly turned out to be too few, and in our relaxation areas we now focus maximally on silence, far away from technical rooms or places where many people have to pass through."
Hotel and beauty cabins
In recent years, significant investments have been made in Waer Waters. "At the beginning of 2019, we opened our new reception, and at the end of that year we put 6,000 m² of new wellness space into use, doubling the existing area. In February 2020, the first 30 hotel rooms were opened. Then the first corona lockdown came, and we could only receive guests last summer and part of the autumn. In June 2021, we then put the remaining 30 rooms into use, as well as the 12 new cabins for beauty treatments. In the future, a few more saunas will be added in each zone, we will open a restaurant in the new nude section, and 6 additional beauty cabins are also planned."
Efficient and safe
Besides silence, water is also a crucial element at Waer Waters. "We naturally ensure that as little water as possible is lost," continues Sarah Coppens. "That's why we are also investing in our own water purification system, to maximize water reuse. We need to find a golden middle ground between cleaning products that are powerful enough to guarantee maximum hygiene while burdening the environment as little as possible."
"That hygiene is also extremely important when heating the water for the showers in the wellness area, the changing rooms and the fitness area, and for the hammam. To avoid legionella contamination, we want to go a step further than the 1 to 2 thermal treatments per year that are standard. We work with hydrogen peroxide that continuously cleans the pipes and kills any bacteria. It is a serious investment, but we are certain that it also contributed to not having had a single internal corona infection here last summer between the two lockdowns."
Sustainable DNA
"From the very start of Waer Waters, the building owner has always emphasized sustainability," says Steven Beirinckx (BM Engineering). "The existing spaces were therefore already equipped with a large number of PV panels and a CHP installation, and heating is done at low temperature via geothermal energy. We approached the new hotel and the additional wellness spaces in an identical manner. An additional BEO field has been installed and the PV installation has been expanded. Through adiabatic cooling, we provide a natural cooling system. Heat losses are kept to a minimum, and through good orientation, overheating is also avoided. These sustainable measures result in a strong reduction of facility costs. This is extremely important to keep a wellness resort like Waer Waters profitable."
Collaboration
"After working together for a long time, we naturally know BM Engineering well," says Sarah Coppens. "They have a great deal of knowledge in-house, both in terms of construction technology and technical systems. Whatever we ask or want to do, we always have the feeling that they know what they're talking about. Moreover, you recognize a good supplier when something goes wrong. I dislike suppliers who always blame mistakes on someone else. I don't expect everything to be perfect, but I do want them to do everything they can to solve a problem."
Building partners:
• Waer Waters – building owner • 3Architecten – architects • BM Engineering Group – structural engineering & special techniques
