The renovation of the historic town hall in Leuven is a project where heritage, technical complexity, and innovative solutions come together. Commissioned by Monument Vandekerkhove, Deschacht made a crucial contribution to the rainwater management on this exceptional construction site.
Central to this story is the installation of a 60,000 L Tubao buffer tank, which is responsible for the buffering and reuse of rainwater. In an urban and historically sensitive context such as this, efficient water management is not only a sustainability requirement, but also a technical challenge.
Spatial limitations demand smart solutions
The courtyard of the city hall presented the executing parties with a clear limitation: the available space was insufficient to install multiple traditional rainwater tanks. Furthermore, the position of the existing tower crane made it logistically impossible to place four separate tanks.
In consultation with project managers Kim Carbonez and site supervisors Heleen Rotiers (Monument) and Benny Van Hove (City of Leuven), Deschacht proposed an alternative in the form of a buffer tank with a diameter of 3m and a length of 8.5m. This solution combines a high storage capacity with a limited footprint, making it particularly suitable for inner-city applications and renovation projects with complex site conditions.
Technical execution with an eye for detail
The installation of the Tubao buffer required a meticulously prepared hoisting operation. Due to the limited maneuvering space and the historical environment, every aspect had to be coordinated in detail. Thanks to the close cooperation between Monument Vandekerkhove, Tubao, and Deschacht, this technically challenging operation was successfully carried out. On behalf of Deschacht, the project was supervised by industrial construction account manager Robbe Boone, who, in close consultation with the female project manager and site manager, developed the most suitable solution.
Integrated approach on the construction site
In addition to the delivery of the buffer tank, the earthworks and sewerage works on the site are also being carried out by Bart Spegelaere, a regular partner of Deschacht. This integrated approach ensures efficient execution and optimal coordination between the various phases of the project.
Sustainable water management within a historical context
With this solution, Deschacht contributes to future-oriented water management within a protected heritage project. The captured rainwater is reused to the maximum extent possible, which not only lowers the ecological footprint, but also fits in perfectly with contemporary requirements regarding sustainable construction.
This project demonstrates how technical expertise, product knowledge, and collaboration lead to well-considered solutions, even in locations where the preconditions are anything but straightforward.
