Accelerating to tomorrow's school

The STROOM project in the heart of Vaartkom is a good example of the possibilities of steel construction. The fact that the school will be there in just a few months is therefore due to the choice of materials. Steel is ideal for erecting durable structures and makes it easy to modify or expand buildings. Fast, budget-friendly and customized. With Symobo, we would like to explain some of the exceptional features of the project. Speaking: our own Tom Verhaert, the project contractor, and architect Tom Cortoos.

Challenges and support structure

“Symobo sold this project because we were able to realize it at a fast pace, at a fixed amount and, of course, also in accordance with all the rules,” says Tom Verhaert. “There were quite a few challenges: the project is located right next to the Dyle, which required special stability requirements. Together with Willem, our stability engineer, we have developed solutions for this. For example, it needed a special foundation, with masses of poles in the ground and a lot of concrete. What is also striking is that there are no braces, which has implications for your support structure. We provided a steel frame, where concrete panels are then attached, then we lay vaults and that forms the supporting structure.”

Phasing

“From the moment the first steel column is installed, things are fast,” he continues. “At the beginning of May, we will start rectifying the steel; simultaneously, the concrete panels will be placed against it, with the vaults in between. So that's going to be an intensive month anyway.”

“It will be a feat, but we are confident that children will be able to go to school here on September 1.”
- Tom Verhaert (Symobo)

“From the end of June-July, the windows will be in, we will do the repairs, floors, HVAC, electricity, etc. In September, we will carry out a number of more works on the roof, but the school can already open in the meantime. It is partly thanks to the good cooperation with the school, the city and the architect that we can achieve this at such a pace.”

Architecture

Tom Cortoos, the project's architect - who was also responsible for the construction of Symobo's headquarters - is also proud of what is being achieved. “We worked closely with the school itself and director Willem Schoors for the design. It was important to listen to the school's needs and to adjust the different spaces accordingly. It is consciously a school in the city: we want to create interaction with the people and companies in the thriving neighborhood of the Vaartkom.

“We want to create interaction with the people and companies in the thriving neighborhood of the Vaartkom.”
- Architect Tom Cortoos

When designing, we constantly had the school's open vision in mind: for example, we created so-called “learning landscapes”, large open and flexible spaces where workshops can be held, among other things. But the multipurpose halls are also set up in such a way that great flexibility is possible. In short, the building is tailored to the school's curriculum.”

Tough interior

For the interior, Cortoos deliberately chose to put the industrial construction in the spotlight. “You're going to see the steel columns everywhere,” he continues. “This way, you get a very cool interior, which the students will definitely appreciate. We're not going to hide anything with gyproc.” And the colors have also been considered: gray concrete, a white-painted steel structure and dark red window frames provide an interior where you can play freely with colors.

With the mayor's blessing

The fact that the project is moving so fast is also due to the cooperation with the city. “There is a great need for school capacity,” says Leuven mayor Mohamed Ridouani. “The city offers the land as a leasehold. We are proud of the fact that there will be a school here that will collaborate with the neighborhood. There is clearly a big drive on the part of all parties involved, including the management.”
Education ships Lalynn Wadera can't wait for the end result either: “This project offers an excellent opportunity to connect with companies, cultural centers, and the thriving neighborhood of De Vaartkom.”