The building contains a 2-layered concrete structure, founded on an existing basement, and a third layer which cantilevers for 6,5 m over a public road. This third building layer had to be conceived as a polyvalent volume.

High cantilever beams were avoided in the roof & floor by designing a supporting structure on the edge of the cantilever. As the front facades are partially made of glass, use of trusses was prohibited. A 9-celled 'Vierendeel' beam (HEB 400) therefore rests on 2 columns. This beam was entirely welded before being transported to the building site. The floor in the cantilever part of the building is a composite floor, made as a self-supporting steel-concrete floor supported by beams.

The span of the Vierendeel beam between the columns is about 23 meters, whereas it cantilevers for 6.7 meters. Deformations related to permanent loads are limited, thus shifting the first eigenfrequency to above 3Hz and ensuring a good vibration comfort.

The Vierendeel beam remains completely visible, which makes the use of sloping shear force braces impossible. Nodal stiffness was calculated according to annex J of Eurocode 3.

The floor at the third level includes a rotation joint, allowing for a proper transition to the cantilever part of the building. The side walls of the cantilever part could only have a thickness of 10 cm in total.

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Structural Engineering Office Mouton

Mouton Structural Engineering Office originates from the professional activities of Guy Mouton, who started in 1976 to practice as an independent engineer-architect. Over the years, the core business gradually evolved from architectural design to structural design. As a result of this, Mouton Structural Engineering Office was formally established in 2002.

Mouton Structural Engineering Office is fully focused on structural design of steel, concrete and timber structures. The link with architectural design remains however remarkably present, as the office continues to strive for a close collaboration between all designers involved in a project. The result is invariably an optimal architectural design, respecting all imposed constraints. As a result, the Mouton Structural Engineering Office received several awards, and was also nominated for the prestigious Cultuurprijs Architectuur 2005 awarded by the Flemish government.

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