At Stageco Belgium in Haacht, we successfully completed a project on their 15.5-hectare site. During peak times, more than 170 trailers can be parked on the premises. The warehouses are filled with equipment for events such as the Tour of Flanders, Graspop, Pukkelpop, and Rock Werchter.
This Belgian company is a global player in stage construction and works for big names such as TomorrowWorld, U2, Metallica, AC/DC, Coldplay, the Rolling Stones, and Beyoncé. What once started as a stage builder for Rock Werchter has grown into a world-class enterprise.
HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF THE SITE
According to historical maps, there was originally an old farmstead on the southern side of the site, surrounded by a moat and named ‘Hof ter Elst’. It was later replaced by a villa, which was eventually demolished in 1981.
In the Tildonk branch of Trebos, various steel products were manufactured, such as nails, screws, and supply products for the automotive and furniture industries. On this site, steel wire was processed using chemical and thermal processes.
Trebos ceased its activities on this site in 2018. In 2020, Next Frontier NV became the new owner, with the goal of giving the site a new, sustainable purpose and preventing further deterioration. The building complex was developed in phases, with various smaller structures and varying building heights.
Pollution was identified on the site due to mineral oil, asbestos, and boron. The redevelopment also included remediation, which has now been carried out. The heavily contaminated soils are now professionally encapsulated, which is an important step in the sustainable reuse of industrial sites.
In 2020, Architeam got in contact with the project.
The project includes an industrial and logistics complex with office space that has been seamlessly integrated into the surroundings. It is a brownfield development where various sustainability principles have been applied.
The project consisted of three phases. In September 2021, we began with demolition and cleanup work, and started the renovation of Hall 1. In March 2023, we began work on the office building and Hall 2 (15,000m2). By November 2024, we were ready for the final phase: paving and site development. This gave the site its definitive appearance. The project was ultimately completed in early 2025.
Through restructuring and partial reuse of outdated and worn-out buildings and grounds, they were given a second life. This process required thorough modifications, with the old structures being renovated and upgraded to meet modern standards.
SUSTAINABILITY AND INNOVATION
Architeam focuses strongly on sustainability and energy efficiency. High-quality, sustainable materials and insulation are applied to the facades and roofs of the new building sections. Solar panels were installed on approximately 15,000 m² of roof area. Heat pumps are used for the new production hall and office building. Around 350,000 liters of rainwater can be collected for reuse, including for washing tarpaulins.
In addition, energy-saving measures such as high-efficiency glazing, LED lighting, energy-efficient installations, and the prevention of thermal bridging and heat loss are applied.
The project was realized on a brownfield site, which is a more sustainable alternative to building on an untouched greenfield, as it reuses existing contaminated land. Future site functions are also considered to prevent vacancy. In addition to minimizing the ecological footprint through energy- and water-saving technologies, attention is paid to biodiversity through the creation of a biodiverse green area on the site.
The use of sustainable transport is further encouraged. The site is located next to the canal and railway connection.
Charging points for electric vehicles will be installed, and separate traffic flows will be introduced to ensure traffic safety. The project also promotes public and collective transport, aligning with the project's broader sustainability goals.
Since 1951, the steel wire factory ‘Trebos‘, a branch of ‘Les Usines Gustave Boël’, was located on this site. In a photo from the 1990s, the various buildings can be recognized. The office building stood at the front right.
At the front, next to the railway, was the shop where customers could buy steel wire, with a parking area in front. The building with the three gabled roofs was used as a storage space for raw materials.
In the center of the site was the large wire drawing facility, with the shipping area at the front and the annealing furnaces at the back.
Behind that were smaller attached structures where raw materials were stored. To the right of the wire drawing facility, there was a paved outdoor storage area, where the car park is located today.
The result is a renewed site that retains its historical charm, while simultaneously responding to the needs of the present time.
CUSTOMIZED ARCHITECTURE
The office building is centrally located in a preserved green area, where the villa once stood, so that walking distances to the business activities remain limited (the total length of the site is approximately 700 meters).
The shape of the building is tailored to the valuable elements within the contours of the heritage site "Remnants of the garden of Hof ter Elst." For example, consideration was given to preserving an old beech tree on the southern side. Surrounded by trees, the building offers a different view at each end.
The building has the shape of an asterisk with three arms (7 meters on the ground floor and 11.5 meters wide on the upper floor). The glass facades of the ground floor are recessed compared to those of the upper floor, allowing us to retain the existing relief to the maximum and ensuring that the external environment is optimally visible from within the building.
Today, more than 40% of the business site consists of green space. The car park near the office building is located outside the green zone and the heritage site, on a former paved outdoor storage area of Trebos.
CONCLUSION
The project at Stageco Belgium in Haacht is an impressive example of how industrial and logistical developments can be combined with sustainability and innovation.
By reusing a brownfield site and applying advanced technologies and sustainable materials, a modern and environmentally friendly business environment has been created. Elements from the site's history, from the old farmhouse to the steel wire factory Trebos, have been carefully integrated into the new design, preserving its historical charm.
With a focus on energy efficiency, biodiversity, and sustainable transport, this project sets a new standard for future developments.
The new office building, with its unique architecture and seamless integration into the surroundings, reflects Architeam's vision of customization and sustainability. This project demonstrates that it is possible to breathe new life into outdated industrial sites while simultaneously meeting the needs of modern times.
Sign up for our newsletter.
