EUROCONTROL begins construction works at Brussels operations centre

Construction work on the new EUROCONTROL Network Manager’s operations centre in Brussels, has officially commenced with a ‘breaking ground’ event attended on 30 August by Eamonn Brennan, EUROCONTROL Director General , Philippe Close, Mayor of the City of Brussels and Alain Hutchinson, Brussels Commissioner for Europe and Intergovernmental Organisations

The €20.5 million building is set to host state-of-the-art operational systems and IT infrastructure, as the organisation embarks on its integrated Network Management (iNM) digital transformation programme. iNM is designed to ensure that EUROCONTROL, as the manager of the EU aviation network and EU Critical Infrastructure, continues to meet the needs of operational stakeholders through digitising and modernising the way air traffic is managed over the EU.

Eamonn Brennan said: “With up to 35,000 flights a day expected in the coming decade across a network spanning 43 States, this new building will play a key role in helping EUROCONTROL modernise the way we manage capacity, reduce delays and minimise environmental impacts. Our new building will become the home of state-of-the-art digital solutions to optimise air traffic operations and will render the management of the EU network resilience, reliability and sustainability in the decades to come.”

CERAU Architecture and Urbanism are responsible for the striking architectural design, with technical support from Bureau Greisch, while Brussels-based company Louis De Waele has been entrusted with the construction.

The new 6,000m² building will contain EUROCONTROL’s new operations room, work stations, a visitors’ gallery and conference rooms including cutting-edge systems for crisis management, online and hybrid conferences, and security.

The construction and design of the new operations centre places leading sustainability assessment methods for new buildings at its core, with EUROCONTROL aiming to receive the highest ecological certification and to reduce its carbon footprint by taking advantage of sustainable building materials such as wood, the use of solar panels, and high quality insulation.

Rémy Rascol, architect and Director of CERAU Architecture and Urbanism commented: “This new operational centre is a technologically advanced building ensuring the safety and security of operational functions, ensuring staff wellbeing and minimising environmental impacts. The study of the facades was a real challenge for us. We had to combine the energy performance of the walls with electrochromic glazing, an optimal sound insulation and the level of safety expected from a building classified as ‘sensitive’ at EU level.

“In addition to the energy-efficient performance of the outer walls, the roofs will be greened and will accommodate more than 600 photovoltaic panels. The landscaped surroundings, in addition to the greenery that they constitute, will host a rainwater management system which will include, in addition to a cistern, an open storm basin and infiltration ditches. Biodiversity will be encouraged by the planting of native and pollinating plants which will complement the hives already present on the site.”

“This building will benefit from an ‘excellent’ BREEAM label, the equivalent of the French HQE (Haute Qualité Environmentale) certification,” further added Rascol.

“Les Entreprises Louis De Waele are honoured to contribute to the construction of the new EUROCONTROL Operations Centre,” said Stéphane Dieleman, CEO of Entreprises Louis De Waele. “The technical complexity of the structure and the facades, the construction of a new building on an occupied site and a short deadline, are all challenges that we will tackle enthusiastically in close collaboration with the client and the design team. All together, we are committed to delivering a building that meets EUROCONTROL’s requirements and which enables them to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”