New head office of BNP Paribas Fortis in Brussels

Project description

The new head office of the BNP Paribas Fortis Bank in Brussels is a breathtaking building in the heart of Brussels, which immediately catches the eye when glancing over the skyline. It comprises 10 above-ground storeys and 5 storeys below-ground, offering space for around 4,100 workstations for 7,000 employees. In 2022, the building was prized in the category "Best Office and Business Project" at the MIPIM Awards in Cannes. Outstanding real estate projects around the world have been awarded the MIPIM Award since 1991.

In this project, OBO underfloor systems were used in a very special manner: The cover of the GES9M-2 service outlets were used as access points for the testing and maintenance of underfloor smoke detectors. In the building, attempts were made to use as little plastic as possible. In accordance with this principle, a decision was taken to use the stainless steel version of the OBO underfloor solutions. For simple installation, the exact opening dimensions were sprayed out of the floor tiles using a water jet.

General building information

In the building, great value was placed on sustainable construction. It comprises a total of 100,000 square metres, which are distributed across 10 storeys above the ground and 5 below. Solar panels are installed on the roof, rainwater is collected and reused and there is a thermal energy capacitor in the basement. A total of 330 cycle racks and 160 charging stations for electric vehicles make it easy for employees to get to work in an environmentally friendly manner.

Why did the customer choose OBO products?

Solutions from various manufacturers were tested for the underfloor installations. A choice was eventually made in favour of OBO, as the OBO solutions were able to stand out by having the smallest edge profile. This means that the covers can be integrated even more effectively into the carpet floor. The OBO cassettes stand out through their discreet, elegant design. After their installation, they can barely be seen, meaning that they do not interfere with the ambience of the room.