Innovative parking building marks start of Construction Campus 2.0

The starting signal for the construction of the new parking building at Building Campus 2.0 has been given. The car park can accommodate 350 cars, but can later be expanded to 500 spaces. The expansion is done in height, largely on top of the existing car park, minimising the impact on green space.

The Construction Campus is - alongside the Health Campus - one of two major themed campuses being developed at Limburg DC, the new campus in Diepenbeek. The design of the parking building is the result of collaboration between Democo, Debuild and Jaspers-Eyers Architects. Tom Vandeput, deputy for Economy and chairman of POM Limburg, emphasises the ambition to position Bouwcampus 2.0 as the beating heart of innovation in the construction sector: "With a progressive design for the parking building, we are giving concrete expression to our words. The new building is modular and can adapt to evolving needs in the future. Besides its positive environmental impact, it also retains its property value for longer. So it does not have to be demolished after some time, but can be given a new use thanks to its future-oriented design."

350 parking spaces
In the first phase, 350 parking spaces will be available, but this number could expand to 500 in the future. The building is designed with higher ceilings than standard car parks and features a central ramp that can be removed if necessary. Tom Vandeput: "So at the start of the project, it was already taken into account that some or all of the building could be reused in the long term."

Compaction
POM Limburg applies the principle of densification by placing the new parking building on top of the existing paving. Tom Vandeput: "We are aiming for the most efficient parking with a minimal footprint. The building will consist of four floors with around 80 parking spaces each. A fifth floor may be added in the future. By working in height, we preserve space for greenery and future developments. Solar panels will be integrated to provide the building with renewable energy. There are enough spaces for electric cars."

Hub of innovation
Building Campus 2.0 will provide space for research and testing infrastructure focused on the challenges of the construction sector. For example, it will experiment with sustainable building materials, but also focus on affordable construction and renovation. Managing director of Embuild Limburg Chris Slaets: "The Limburg construction sector has ambition. The Building Campus site will be futureproof, sustainable and accessible to all stakeholders. It gives us the opportunity to shift up a gear and evolve into a frontrunner in digital and circular construction. A place that builds bridges, locally, Flemish and internationally. A place where construction is at home."

Hiking trails
The new parking building is an integral part of the strategy to make the campus more car-free. Tom Vandeput: "We encourage campus residents to park their cars at the edge of campus and continue their journeys on foot or by bike. In the coming year, new walkways will connect the parking building with other parts of campus, including car-free routes to the Health Campus, the campus heart at between UCLL and UHasselt." The parking building is expected to be completed in August 2024, well in time for the start of the new academic year. This will ensure parking facilities for students and other campus residents.