Roelevard set to be completely CO2 neutral

Corona or no corona, the innovative redevelopment project at the Roeselare station is back on track - with the necessary safety precautions.

Project developers ION and Steenoven have finished the preparations and will start the first real works after the summer. And what's striking: the urban renewal project will be a completely CO2-neutral project. How? Thanks to the connection to the MIROM heat network - which means no fossil fuels will be consumed - 9 green roofs, 3,800 m² of green spaces including 59 trees, and the central location which ensures that residents and users of the offices will need to use their car less often. The project has only just been launched but there is already a lot of interest.

It has taken a while, but the time has finally come: the Roelevard urban renewal project in Roeselare is gaining momentum. The works will start after the summer. The innovative project, which includes 81 apartments, 6,000 m² of offices, 650 m² of shops, an underground car park for 144 cars, 82 storerooms, 288 private bicycle sheds and a public bicycle shed for 60 bicycles, will not only drastically change the appearance of the station area, it will also become the ultimate reference project for sustainable building. After all, Steenoven and ION, the West Flemish project developers who are jointly creating Roelevard, have resolutely opted for a (fully) CO2-neutral project.

"Trying to incorporate nature as much as we can was always an important goal for this project. But today, climate-friendly building is also a social obligation. It can be achieved thanks to a conscious choice of materials and energy consumption."

Davy Demuynck, CEO of ION

Roeselare is a pioneer in Flanders when it comes to heat networks. The residual heat released in the MIROM inter-communal waste incineration plant has been used since 1986, via an underground network of pipes, to heat numerous buildings and produce domestic hot water. And Roelevard - the largest redevelopment in the city for years - is now also opting for this heating system. As a result, residents and users do not have to use fossil fuels and therefore there will be no CO2 emissions, which is good for the climate. Moreover, according to the developer, this system is very reliable and not more expensive than heating with natural gas.

"Sustainability is not a meaningless concept for Steenoven. Just look at the greenery at Roelevard: 9 green roofs, together accounting for 3,800 m² of herbs, flowers and plants, and 59 trees. The rainwater is collected and used to water the green roofs and the green areas on the square."

Bart Vanderdonckt, CEO of Steenoven

The world-renowned team of architects Snøhetta/B2Ai designed two buildings for Roelevard - Lux and Bronze - with a common identity. Snøhetta's Scandinavian roots and its vision of contemporary living and working are expressed by paying extra attention to cosiness, sustainability, timeless designs and quality. Snøhetta is a well-known player in the world of architecture, with a portfolio full of wonderful projects, such as the Opera House in Oslo, the renovated Times Square in New York and the Memorial Museum on Ground Zero.

Lux rises from 4 floors to 13 floors in the 46-metre tower that overlooks Stationsplein, the station square, and has 45 apartments with a floor area of 75 to 135 m². The cascade of floors creates exceptional terraces, combined with large green roofs full of flowers and plants. The apartments are, as it were, villas with gardens in the city, albeit at a height. Most of the offices - 5,150 m² in all - are also located in this building, as well as 250 m² of retail space.

Bronze is located on the corner of Stationsdreef and Spoorweglaan, and features a staggered architectural design of three to five floors. This part of the project has 36 flats, with a living area of 76 to 123 m², 850 m² of offices, 500 m² of shops and an amphitheatre overlooking Stationsplein, the station square. When the weather is nice, this place is set to become a wonderful meeting place for Roelevard employees and passers-by. The two squares on the site will take shape thanks to their playful interaction with the construction volumes.

"Sustainability also means reducing travel, for example through the creation of a micro society in the city, a site where you can live, work and shop. That's what Roelevard aims to become. It results in less loss of time, higher productivity levels and a better quality of life and work.”

Bart Vanderdonckt, CEO of Steenoven

Roelevard shows how striking architecture and sophisticated spatial planning can create a more meaningful experience in the city.

"This project strikes a perfect balance between the architecture and its surroundings, and between the indoors and the outdoors. The optimal use of the spaces, the orientation of the offices, the choice of high-quality materials and the natural daylight that is given free rein, result in a timeless design and sustainable, comfortable working conditions."

Davy Demuynck, CEO of ION

The project has only just been launched but there is already a lot of interest from prospective buyers and potential tenants. The project should be completed by 2023-2024.