This building centralises, manages, and controls all data from the Dijle and Zenne basins (levels, flows, valve positions, weirs, locks, etc.). If necessary, the building can be a fully-fledged crisis centre. The site was chosen for its strategic location, near the A2 motorway, the UZ and the Leuven fire station. An inviting covered entrance area is foreseen on the ground floor, with parking for staff and views to garden and roadside. The focus in the building is the central communication space covering the two floors, where the main functions are grouped around it: a garage with workshop, server rooms, control room, offices and meeting facilities. The landscaping provides space for an art intervention by Yves Maes and Peter Verhelst.
VMM's ambition was also to create an exemplary building in terms of sustainability. It was developed in accordance with the passive house standard, including an adiabatic cooling system, heat recovery from the server rooms, energy production with PV panels, attention to correct use of materials and, given the mission of the VMM water department, a lot of attention to economical and correct use of water (maximum rainwater recovery, all outdoor paving is permeable, sedum roof, use of drinking water is limited, garden with a wadi...).
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