Transparency is the central theme for “The Circle”, the new headquarters of Belgian technology giant Barco. Designed by Jaspers-Eyers Architects, the glass façade and roof systems form a skin around the circular building’s open plan interior and central atrium space, where daily activities are illuminated with a full 360 degrees of natural light.
Architect’s vision for The Circle
“We chose a cylinder shape in order to make the building the centre point in between the surrounding buildings on the campus,” says architect John Eyers. “You can create space, but you also have to create openness. The relation between nature and technology was very important to us.” Positioned at the centre of the site with corridors linking it to both new and surrounding buildings on the campus, The Circle, with a diameter of 75 meters and a height of 25 meters, has a spacious total floor area of 32.000 square meters.
In order to achieve a maximum amount of daylight and transparency, the architect chose steel to carry the weight of the structure, together with slender aluminium profile systems for the curtain wall façades. Giving the façade life and dynamism, the interior functions of the building register against its exterior. For example, the structure above the atrium is realised with a criss-cross rhomboid pattern that appears to float above the minimalist, vertically oriented glazing system beneath. Strong horizontals to the upper levels provide solar control for the interior, while a grand staircase in the atrium makes itself apparent on the exterior as a dynamically sloping line. Further emphasising interior/exterior connections, a water feature flows from indoors to out, blending the building into the landscape.
John Eyers explains that the circular form of the design contributes to the building’s social function. “The unique rounded shapes and the internal connections ensure that employees bump into each other more often and create an active ambiance. The oval-shaped ‘meeting decks’ stand out, appearing to float in the space. Passarelles to the fixed core of the building balance the structure and ensure a constant level of activity.”
The challenge
In total, 7.900 square meters of glass and aluminium façade systems were installed, in close collaboration between not only the architects and Reynaers Aluminium, but also Cordeel as the contractor and aluminium construction experts Belgo Metal BV. Adding complexity to the design, nearly 3.500 square meters of the total façade area was installed with what is known as a reversed curtain wall façade. Basically, the structural element of the wall is positioned to the exterior of the building, with only the narrow trim caps of the curtain wall itself visible to the interior. This type of system greatly improves transparency and outward sightlines, in line with the architect’s design goals for The Circle.
Sustainability
Naturally, an all-glass building raises questions about energy-efficiency and thermal control. The Reynaers Aluminium systems offer a thermally efficient standard. Further to this, the sleek horizontal rows of coffering running along the side of the building provide protection from the sun and an extensive cooling system regulates temperatures within this circle of glass.
Guy Eeckhout - AHS & Facility Director at Barco says,“In relation to the sustainability of the building materials, we chose aluminium as a durable material, as well as high-performance glass, to keep the heat outside. And in order to let abundant light into the building, we chose not only for a glass façade but also a glass roof that minimises shadow in the atrium.”
Express yourself
Branding was also a key desire of Barco as a client and the design of the façade was able to address this requirement. The outer parts of the inner volumes are finished with a taut banner, which creates a sleek, curved surface. “In the future, Barco will be able to project images on these surfaces using its own technology. This is how the company wants to turn the new building into the standard-bearer for its own high-tech products,” says Bruno Poelman, project leader at Jaspers-Eyers.
In conclusion, a building project of such complexity requires the highest levels of co-operation between an expert building team. The result is a circular, light filled icon that will take centre stage on the Barco One Campus for years to come.
