Over the coming years, the old military complex on Ghent's Gaspar de Craeyerstraat will be transformed into a new, vibrant neighborhood. Commissioned by construction company Democo, Steenhaut is handling all sewer works and external landscaping, utilizing trusted materials from Deschacht.
From military complex to vibrant urban neighborhood
Johnny Bleijenberg, project manager at Democo: “The site will house the new provincial government building, a hotel, a restaurant, a day care center, and the Higher Institute for Fine Arts. Monument Care and Defense will also find a new home in the complex. In addition, there will be about 10 houses and 82 apartments. The original buildings are over 100 years old, so the project is a combination of new construction, renovation, and restoration. We have to take into account both heritage conservation regulations and the new BREEAM standards for sustainability and energy efficiency.”
Sewerage and outdoor construction by Steenhaut
For the sewerage and landscaping, Democo enlisted Steenhaut from Deerlijk. The company designs and creates outdoor environments, ranging from sewerage and earthworks to garden finishing, and subsequently handles the maintenance. Thomas Lecompte: “At the Leopold Barracks site in Ghent, we are responsible for all external sewerage, drainage, rainwater pits, and septic tanks. We connect the sewerage to the street sewer. And we do the site landscaping.”
Vertical infiltration pipes
Thomas Lecompte: “The special thing about this project is the vertical infiltration pipes that allow rainwater to seep underground into the soil. Normally that is done with horizontal pipes, but there wasn't enough space on the site for that. The PP-Ribwall pipes are 6 meters deep in the ground. For this project, we brought in Deschacht for the materials. Deschacht's engineering department turned the architect's sewer plan into an optimal implementation plan.”
Complex project, right partners
Johnny Bleijenberg: “A project like the Leopold Barracks in Ghent, with that scale and complexity, you only experience a few times in your career. Calling it a challenge is therefore an understatement. And then it is important to surround yourself with reliable and experienced partners.”
Steenhaut
Landscaping Establishment: 1970 Number of employees: 25 Location: Deerlijk Services: Steenhaut's specialty is the complete landscaping of industrial sites, residential areas, and public spaces. From earthworks and sewer and paving works to finishing and maintenance. Individuals can also turn to Steenhaut for the creation of their garden. Website: www.steenhaut.be
