Green oasis in the heart of Brussels

Transparency is not the only asset of the new Commerce 46 building. Greenery also plays a prominent role in the beautiful office volume. This is thanks in part to Vice Verda, which installed an extensive green roof on top of Level 13, helped furnish the spacious roof terraces on the sixth and eighth floors, and realized the ground-level courtyard garden. "In terms of size, Commerce 46 was an average project for us, but in terms of timing, logistics and quality requirements, it was quite challenging," says partner Dirk Van de Waeter.

During the preliminary phase, Vice Verda sat around the table with General Construction Maes to find out which green roof systems could or could not be used. Not insignificant, since Commerce 46 is a BREEAM project and therefore specific requirements applied. "We supported and guided Algemene Bouw Maes in selecting the systems that we eventually delivered and installed," Dirk Van de Waeter says. "On the main roof, we installed an extensive green roof with an exclusive selection of native sedum plants. On the two roof terraces, we created a number of planting beds. We opted for a modified roof structure there to ensure maximum water retention and to efficiently anchor the multi-stemmed trees. The planting was selected based on BREEAM guidelines in consultation with landscape architect Jeroen Provoost. Finally, we realized the ground-level indoor garden under slope, including a drip irrigation system and a custom drainage component. For the flower boxes, we applied the ZinCo Floradrain FD 40 system and for the courtyard itself, ZinCo Floradrain FD 60, after which we applied intensive substrate averaging 1 to 1.2 meters thick. In terms of design, we opted for a prairie look with birch trees." 

Spectacular operation

Commerce 46 presented some specific challenges for Vice Verda. "In view of the wind load, we paid extra attention to the corner, edge and middle zones, in consultation with General Construction Maes. In the corners, for example, we had to apply boulders of caliber 40/60 and 50/80. No sinecure, all the more so because we started our activities a week earlier than planned and consequently had to work in the middle of the construction holidays. With success, as the main roof was finished in the first week of August. An excellent proof of our flexibility and our willingness to think along with the main contractor," explains Dirk Van de Waeter. "Nor was it obvious to get the birches, with a root ball diameter of 80 centimeters and a weight of 400 kilograms, on site in the enclosed courtyard. We used a mobile tower crane to lift the trees over the building. A spectacular operation!"

Nice reference

As a specialist in green-blue construction, Vice Verda was not on its trial run in the European district. Commissioned by Alides and Algemene Bouw Maes, it had also already made a crucial contribution to the nearby Copernicus project. "That realization was also quite challenging in terms of timing, logistics and quality requirements, but in both cases we were able to bring our works to a successful conclusion," indicates Dirk Van de Waeter. "We also won the maintenance contract for Commerce 46, so we will continue to be responsible for green space management there in the coming years. Everyone is very satisfied with the end result, so we are delighted. Commerce 46 fits perfectly in the list of other realizations that we are very proud of, such as Residentie Desclée at the Houtkaai in Bruges (indoor garden on the parking garage), MG Square in Ghent (indoor garden on the second floor, designed by Wirtz International Landscape Architects) and the renovated Delhaize in Waregem (eight green walls on two large entrance columns). We will also soon take on The Green in Nieuwpoort, so that promises!"