Cite administrative « zero carbon »
Basic information
Project Title
Cite administrative « zero carbon »
Full project title
Cite administrative « zero carbon » of Liege : qualitative, sustainable and innovative rehabilitati
Category
Regaining a sense of belonging
Project Description
This project consists of the renovation of an 18-story administrative building, located in the historic center and built in the 1960s, in order to make it carbon neutral and perfectly accessible to PRMs. The project allowed a reappropriation of the place by the citizen, a reorganization of connections with the surrounding neighborhood and a requalification of the public space.
Geographical Scope
Local
Project Region
Liege, Belgium
Urban or rural issues
Mainly urban
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
EU Programme or fund
Yes
Which funds
ERDF : European Regional Development Fund
Description of the project
Summary
This qualitative, sustainable and innovative rehabilitation project of the Cité Administrative, a central place for welcoming citizens and symbol of the Liege urban landscape, aims to include the City of Liege in an integrated urban policy via sustainable and balanced development. It also contributes to strengthening the attractiveness of the historic city center and contributes to building a positive image and identity of the district.
The renovation of this building is part of a logic of centralization of services, maintaining a quality public service in the city center while aiming for exemplarity in technological and energy terms.
This project benefits all citizens, users and visitors.
Beyond its energy renovation, the project allowed a reappropriation of the place by the citizen, a recomposition of connections with the surrounding neighborhood and a requalification of the public space thanks, in particular, to the opening of the rooftop of the building to all visitors or the conservation and enhancement of existing works of art.
The renovation of this building is part of a logic of centralization of services, maintaining a quality public service in the city center while aiming for exemplarity in technological and energy terms.
This project benefits all citizens, users and visitors.
Beyond its energy renovation, the project allowed a reappropriation of the place by the citizen, a recomposition of connections with the surrounding neighborhood and a requalification of the public space thanks, in particular, to the opening of the rooftop of the building to all visitors or the conservation and enhancement of existing works of art.
Key objectives for sustainability
The main innovation of this project is the thorough renovation of an old, very energy-intensive building in order to make it carbon neutral. The City of Liege has decided not to carry out demolition and to replace it with a new building in order to promote the reconstruction of the city on the city and to use as little raw material as possible. In this way, we are reducing our CO2 emissions and we are freeing ourselves from fossil fuels for this building in order to move towards Europe's objectives: 55% reduction in 2030 and carbon neutrality in 2050.
Another innovative aspect is the production of renewable and clean energy by combining several mechanisms such as shallow geothermal energy and the use of photovoltaic panels. The implementation of passive systems to combat heat in summer allows us to do without active cold production on most of the tower.
In 2023, after renovation, the new Cité Administrative can once again welcome Liege citizens in a building with very high energy performance via the complete overhaul of its exterior envelope and the implementation of optimized techniques. The renovation of this building constitutes a witness to innovation since the City is no longer connected to town gas and operates completely independently for its heating and cooling needs, thanks to geothermal energy and the installation of panels. photovoltaic. This is a perfect example of the use of modern technologies to serve the environment and in response to energy challenges.
In addition, the redevelopment of public spaces in favor of active modes (walking, cycling, etc.) also makes it possible to meet these objectives.
Finally, the centralization of services near the future Liege tram and bus stops allows easy access by public transport, and reduces impact of cars in the city, improving the quality of the air and life of residents. citizens of the neighborhood.
The combination of these elements will undeniably have a major impact in terms of greening the city center.
Another innovative aspect is the production of renewable and clean energy by combining several mechanisms such as shallow geothermal energy and the use of photovoltaic panels. The implementation of passive systems to combat heat in summer allows us to do without active cold production on most of the tower.
In 2023, after renovation, the new Cité Administrative can once again welcome Liege citizens in a building with very high energy performance via the complete overhaul of its exterior envelope and the implementation of optimized techniques. The renovation of this building constitutes a witness to innovation since the City is no longer connected to town gas and operates completely independently for its heating and cooling needs, thanks to geothermal energy and the installation of panels. photovoltaic. This is a perfect example of the use of modern technologies to serve the environment and in response to energy challenges.
In addition, the redevelopment of public spaces in favor of active modes (walking, cycling, etc.) also makes it possible to meet these objectives.
Finally, the centralization of services near the future Liege tram and bus stops allows easy access by public transport, and reduces impact of cars in the city, improving the quality of the air and life of residents. citizens of the neighborhood.
The combination of these elements will undeniably have a major impact in terms of greening the city center.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The Cité Administrative is a symbolic building and a landmark in the Liège urban landscape. Culminating at 67m, it is one of the “skyscrapers” of the City of Liege.
The building constitutes a significant testimony to the modernist architecture which dominated worldwide at the time of its construction that begun in 1963. The architects, Jean Poskin and Henri Bonhomme, were inspired by the international style (i.e. the United Nations headquarters in NYC), an architectural trend at the time. Together, they will design several “skyscrapers” in Liege.
The architectural reconversion of the Cité Administrative feeds more broadly a strategic urban project in the renewal of the Liège Metropolis and more specifically of the historic center.
The urban, architectural, technical and energy project aims to maximize the potential use of space while anticipating the city evolution and working methods in the decades to come. The project will have very significant potential for adaptation, a first sign of sustainability and environmental awareness. The building will be designed to achieve the environmental objective of zero carbon.
The major architectural contribution of this renovation is the addition of a new volume of four levels directly associated with the main building. More open and offering optimal and more comfortable public reception, this new extension saves space around the Cité Administrative thanks to a particularly reduced footprint, which will facilitate circulation around the entire perimeter of the building.
On the ground floor, the slab is freed from the annexed constructions currently forming an oversized impassable urban block. This porosity will multiply the connections between the Meuse and the Coteaux, reveal new pedestrian continuities, make routes more fluid and enhance the symbolic proximity of the citizen and their administrative building.
There is also an objective of promoting existing works of art: scupltures, murals, ...
The building constitutes a significant testimony to the modernist architecture which dominated worldwide at the time of its construction that begun in 1963. The architects, Jean Poskin and Henri Bonhomme, were inspired by the international style (i.e. the United Nations headquarters in NYC), an architectural trend at the time. Together, they will design several “skyscrapers” in Liege.
The architectural reconversion of the Cité Administrative feeds more broadly a strategic urban project in the renewal of the Liège Metropolis and more specifically of the historic center.
The urban, architectural, technical and energy project aims to maximize the potential use of space while anticipating the city evolution and working methods in the decades to come. The project will have very significant potential for adaptation, a first sign of sustainability and environmental awareness. The building will be designed to achieve the environmental objective of zero carbon.
The major architectural contribution of this renovation is the addition of a new volume of four levels directly associated with the main building. More open and offering optimal and more comfortable public reception, this new extension saves space around the Cité Administrative thanks to a particularly reduced footprint, which will facilitate circulation around the entire perimeter of the building.
On the ground floor, the slab is freed from the annexed constructions currently forming an oversized impassable urban block. This porosity will multiply the connections between the Meuse and the Coteaux, reveal new pedestrian continuities, make routes more fluid and enhance the symbolic proximity of the citizen and their administrative building.
There is also an objective of promoting existing works of art: scupltures, murals, ...
Key objectives for inclusion
The centralization of numerous services in the heart of the historic center will also have a strong impact at the local level, in particular by facilitating the reception of citizens in a building open to all: indeed, the City of Liege obtained, at the end of the renovation, the Access-i label ensuring an optimum level of accessibility for everyone, even people who have the most difficulty moving.
In addition, the rehabilitation of the existing building must also be considered in a broader reflection: the requalification of the historic heart constitutes a priority issue for the City. It is a question of continuing to improve (after the Grand Curtius, the Museum of Walloon Life, etc.) the attractiveness of the district for tourists, shopping customers, daily users (schools and offices), but also residents and real estate investors.
The objective, in addition to the qualitative, sustainable and innovative rehabilitation of the building, is indeed that of a reappropriation of this administrative center, a recomposition of the links with the surrounding neighborhood and a requalification of the public space.
In addition, the rehabilitation of the existing building must also be considered in a broader reflection: the requalification of the historic heart constitutes a priority issue for the City. It is a question of continuing to improve (after the Grand Curtius, the Museum of Walloon Life, etc.) the attractiveness of the district for tourists, shopping customers, daily users (schools and offices), but also residents and real estate investors.
The objective, in addition to the qualitative, sustainable and innovative rehabilitation of the building, is indeed that of a reappropriation of this administrative center, a recomposition of the links with the surrounding neighborhood and a requalification of the public space.
Results in relation to category
The reopening of the Cité Administrative had a huge impact on the historic center and the neighborhood for citizens, visitors and users of the city.
From a socio-economic point of view, the influx of visitors and workers into the area has helped to promote local commerce and revitalize the neighborhood.
The centralization of services to citizens greatly facilitates accessibility for the more precarious and less mobile public, reinforced by the adaptation of the building to people with reduced mobility, confirmed by obtaining the access-i label.
Zero carbon renovation also has an impact in terms of greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the need for fossil energy. This is made possible by the installation of a geothermal system and renewable energy production, via photovoltaic panels on the site and on other municipal buildings.
The renovation of public spaces around the building offers new paths and new pedestrian zones favoring soft modes and limiting the presence of cars in the center of Liège. The upcoming arrival of the tram, which will serve the building, will offer new mobility solutions for citizens wishing to go to this site.
Finally, a thorough renovation of a historic and heritage building now serves as an example to all citizens, proving that it is possible to keep old buildings by modernizing them to meet current climate and energy challenges.
From a socio-economic point of view, the influx of visitors and workers into the area has helped to promote local commerce and revitalize the neighborhood.
The centralization of services to citizens greatly facilitates accessibility for the more precarious and less mobile public, reinforced by the adaptation of the building to people with reduced mobility, confirmed by obtaining the access-i label.
Zero carbon renovation also has an impact in terms of greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the need for fossil energy. This is made possible by the installation of a geothermal system and renewable energy production, via photovoltaic panels on the site and on other municipal buildings.
The renovation of public spaces around the building offers new paths and new pedestrian zones favoring soft modes and limiting the presence of cars in the center of Liège. The upcoming arrival of the tram, which will serve the building, will offer new mobility solutions for citizens wishing to go to this site.
Finally, a thorough renovation of a historic and heritage building now serves as an example to all citizens, proving that it is possible to keep old buildings by modernizing them to meet current climate and energy challenges.
How Citizens benefit
Local residents and the advisory council of people with disabilities were part of the selection jury to allow them to choose the project that suited them best.
During the studies and the design phase, the associative world and representatives of the Access-i label were involved to ensure that the project met the highest standards in terms of accessibility.
During the studies and the design phase, the associative world and representatives of the Access-i label were involved to ensure that the project met the highest standards in terms of accessibility.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Innovative character
The complete “zero carbon” renovation of an old 18-story building, in the historic center, is a first. The City of Liege has chosen not to carry out a demolition/reconstruction but rather an upgrade of the existing building by implementing modern techniques and technologies, which we generally see in new constructions.
The renovation of this building constitutes a witness to innovation since the City is no longer connected to gas network and operates completely independently for its heating and cooling needs, thanks to geothermal energy and the installation of photovoltaic panels.
Indeed, this includes a pilot project in geothermal energy in this location, making it possible to prove that this technology works in the center of Liege and along the Meuse, offering new green perspectives for investors.
The renovation of this building constitutes a witness to innovation since the City is no longer connected to gas network and operates completely independently for its heating and cooling needs, thanks to geothermal energy and the installation of photovoltaic panels.
Indeed, this includes a pilot project in geothermal energy in this location, making it possible to prove that this technology works in the center of Liege and along the Meuse, offering new green perspectives for investors.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
Geothermal energy (heat from the earth) brings together all the techniques allowing the recovery of heat contained in the subsoil or in groundwater tables. In the case of the Cité Administrative, 5 wells, each 15 meters deep, were dug in the bed of the Meuse in order to meet the needs for heat and cold production. The water in the aquifer has an average temperature of between 12 and 15°C. In winter, the geothermal heat pump will compile, increase and transfer this “heat” taken from the groundwater to the spaces of the building to be heated. In summer, the coolness of the water table will be used to cool the ambient air in the building via radiant ceilings.
Methodology used
The City of Liege has decided to use a Design, Build and Maintenance (DBM) procedure in order to promote innovation in this renovation project by including the design, construction and maintenance of the building from the start.
The public tender provided that project authors, construction companies and those responsible for maintenance come together to propose a complete project from the start.
This procedure, linked to the zero carbon ambition, ensures that the building will meet this requirement, not only theoretically, but practically, after delivery and installation by users.
The public tender provided that project authors, construction companies and those responsible for maintenance come together to propose a complete project from the start.
This procedure, linked to the zero carbon ambition, ensures that the building will meet this requirement, not only theoretically, but practically, after delivery and installation by users.
How stakeholders are engaged
A large number of municipal services were involved in this project, given its strategic importance.
Citizens were also consulted during a public inquiry, allowing them to communicate their comments and needs to the City.
The City of Liege worked in close collaboration with the Walloon Region in order to achieve optimal results.
To ensure a good reception from citizens and a real appropriation of this space, communication and everyone's involvement was essential.
Citizens were also consulted during a public inquiry, allowing them to communicate their comments and needs to the City.
The City of Liege worked in close collaboration with the Walloon Region in order to achieve optimal results.
To ensure a good reception from citizens and a real appropriation of this space, communication and everyone's involvement was essential.
Global challenges
This project had to respond to the major current climate and energy challenges. Indeed, greenhouse gas emissions from buildings are an important part of the overall balance. Allowing us to centralize several services by rationalizing our real estate portfolio allows us to significantly reduce our energy needs and our emissions.
The insulation and installation of modern renewable energy production techniques on the site, in the city center, responds to these challenges. This of course has an impact at the local level, improving the quality of the air and life of residents and visitors to the city.
In addition, renovation of existing buildings makes it possible to avoid the artificialization of soils in order to avoid encouraging flooding and by combating heat islands.
These challenges are well addressed locally by promoting on-site production and carbon offsetting.
The insulation and installation of modern renewable energy production techniques on the site, in the city center, responds to these challenges. This of course has an impact at the local level, improving the quality of the air and life of residents and visitors to the city.
In addition, renovation of existing buildings makes it possible to avoid the artificialization of soils in order to avoid encouraging flooding and by combating heat islands.
These challenges are well addressed locally by promoting on-site production and carbon offsetting.
Learning transferred to other parties
This renovation is the perfect example of a project that can be transferred and adapted anywhere in Europe. Indeed, it is the renovation of an existing building, located in the historic heart of the city, which presents a lot of access and work difficulties for the site. The goal was not to artificialize new territories, requiring available spaces. Most European cities also find themselves in a situation where it is necessary to renovate the building stock, protecting heritage within the existing building limits.
In addition, all European countries are concerned by the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, consume less fossil energy and limit energy costs. The share of emissions linked to buildings is significant and will force us all, in the near future, to renovate both public and private buildings, in order to achieve the emissions targets set by Europe.
In addition, all European countries are concerned by the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, consume less fossil energy and limit energy costs. The share of emissions linked to buildings is significant and will force us all, in the near future, to renovate both public and private buildings, in order to achieve the emissions targets set by Europe.
Keywords
Sustainability
Innovation
Zero carbon
Citizen
Heritage
