59
Category 1: Buildings
1
Contact
Stéphane Moran
Address Boulevard de Waterloolaan 34
1000 Brussels, Belgium
Email
The design office MOSS bvba specialises in design, calculation and
optimization of structural aspects of all types of construction projects:
private housing, civil constructions, renovations, restorations, apartment
buildings, offices and complex industrial constructions.
Our engineering office evolved within an architect studio, our engineers
provide architects with proactive advice to highlight and strengthen a
strong architectural concept in a coherent structure. Furthermore we
analyze the structures to find the best technical solution for the best price.
Owner
Brussels Airport Company
Architect
CTHM (Chapman Taylor - Buro Happold - Moss)
General Contractor
CEI De Meyer & CIT Blaton
Engineering Office
MOSS
Construction Period 04/2013 - 03/2015
Connector is an open, low-energy and futuristic building. It is the heart of
the airport, creating an architectural bridge between the 2 different piers
and the terminal building.
The saw-tooth structure of the roof has the advantage of letting in more
natural light, which saves energy and creates a pleasant environment.
Because it is cold northerly light, the building doesn’t heat up. In addition
to the challenge of creating aesthetic architectural unity, there were various
practical construction challenges. For example, the existing passenger
tunnel right next to the Connector site, which had to be kept fully operational.
The facade of Connector slopes slightly outward, by 8 degrees in fact. This
was necessary to prevent the building from reflecting radar beams or radio
signals. Not only did the facades have to slope, but they were also required
to withstand jet blasts. Big aircraft can produce wind speeds of up to 160 km
per hour behind them when they start their engines. To prevent the many
windows from causing the building to overheat, they have been fitted with
sun screens and vertical fins, which have been incorporated into the facades
as an aesthetic element. The screens on the west side are jagged and
contain meshwork in the form of elongated hexagons. The shape and size
of the meshwork has been designed to prevent the screens from reflecting
radar beams and signals from aircraft and traffic control.
Connector - Zaventem, Belgium
SE
MOSS bvba
