Group Sigma Architecture

At Group Sigma, we believe collaboration with complementary companies in similar sectors is key to driving sustainable design solutions. This aligns perfectly with our recent exchange with Donnachagh Brady, Head of Belgium at BakerHicks, a renowned engineering firm specializing in life sciences buildings like us. We had a productive discussion on fostering sustainable design practices for laboratories and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. Are you a company active in life sciences or data center projects in #Belgium? We'd love to discuss how our collaborative approach can benefit your next project. Come visit us at our beautiful office next to Lake Genval! Contact us today to schedule a meeting 😉 #LifeSciences #DataCenters #Design #Architecture #LabDesign #SustainableDesign #SustainaibleArchitecture

Internet is not in the air, it is in a data center! 🌐 In recent years, data centers have battled with a negative public perception, often viewed as energy-guzzling eyesores. However, conversations at the recent Kickstart Europe Conference shed light on the industry's efforts to change these perceptions. 💡 "Today, half of my job is to engage with politicians and shape public opinion," remarked Dick Theunissen, Managing Director EMEA at EdgeConneX. He highlighted the challenges of obtaining permissions to build new data centers in Holland, underscoring the need for dialogue and education. The reality is that the sector has made significant strides in the design of data centers, aesthetically as well as in sustainable energy solutions. As Olivier Micheli, President and CEO of Data4 Group, aptly stated: "We must heed the signals from stakeholders and articulate the crucial role of data centers in the economy and society." Indeed, data centers play a vital role in our daily lives, storing the vast amounts of data we generate. As Lieke Hamers, Field CTO at Dell Technologies, emphasized, the rise of AI will only heighten our reliance on data. However, it also presents immense opportunities, particularly in fields like medical research. At Group Sigma Architecture, we're committed to shaping a positive narrative around data centers through innovative design and sustainable solutions. Let's recognize the importance of data centers and embrace their potential to drive positive change in society. #DataCenters #MissionCritical #DataCenterPerception #Sustainability #Innovation

"Come to my campus and you will see purely beautiful assets” said Olivier Micheli, President and CEO of Data4 Group during the opening debate of the 2024 Kickstart Europe Conference, insisting on their attention to beauty, well-being and eco-systems in the design of their data centers! His words struck a chord with us at Group Sigma, a Belgian architecture practice specializing in pharma, labs, and data center buildings. At Group Sigma Architecture, we share the commitment to shaping the public perception of data centers. Our approach to design revolves around enhancing aesthetics and sustainability. We believe that data centers can be more than just functional structures and can seamlessly integrate with their surroundings. The progress we've witnessed over the past decade is remarkable. Gone are the days of uninspired, eyesore data centers! Today, we're witnessing a shift towards beautiful, sustainable campuses that prioritize both form and function. As architects, we're proud to be part of this evolution, and we're dedicated to pushing the boundaries of design in the data center industry. Here's to creating a future where data centers not only meet technological needs but also enrich the communities they serve. 💡🏗️ #DataCenterDesign #Sustainability #Architecture #DataCenters

After the excitement of the Kickstart Europe Conference, we come back to our weekly track on BREEAM principles in applications and this week is already the last one on our prestigious business center project "Cercle du Lac", highlighting the "pollution" category. In the 'Cercle du Lac' project, we planned the building’s position to minimize the risk of water penetration which is important for both flood prevention and pollution control. Indeed water penetration can lead to mold growth and other problems, which can pollute the indoor air and water. The building's design also includes a number of features that help to control water pollution, such as: ✓ Rainwater harvesting: The building collects rainwater in tanks and uses it to irrigate the gardens. This helps to reduce the demand for municipal water and reduces the amount of stormwater runoff, which can carry pollutants into water bodies. ✓ Permeable surfaces: The building's parking areas are made with permeable surfaces, such as gravel or grass pavers. This allows rainwater to infiltrate the ground and recharge groundwater supplies. It also helps to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff. ✓ Infiltration systems: The building has an infiltration system that collects and stores rainwater. The rainwater then infiltrates the ground and recharges groundwater supplies. You missed our previous #BREEAM spotlights? Explore how we've committed to a cleaner, greener future through the application of BREEAM principles in our project for the Cercle du Lac in this article: Group Sigma's Commitment to Sustainable Design: https://lnkd.in/emMXZ6e7 #PollutionControl #SustainableBuilding #EnvironmentalImpact #SustainableArchitecture #WaterManagement #Rainwater #InfiltrationSystem

🔍 Delving into the future of data centers at Kickstart Europe Conference! 🌐 Our team had the privilege to immerse in multiple keynote sessions that proved to be truly enlightening. 📸 Here's a glimpse of the insightful exchanges captured during the session "The Impact of the Data Explosion on Data Center Construction," skillfully moderated by Arno Uiterweerd, Managing Director at Unica Datacenters. 🎤 Among the distinguished speakers, Lieke Hamers, Field CTO at Dell Technologies, brought attention to a staggering statistic: 60% of stored data remains unused! Her call to action urged us to reconsider our storage policies and actively work to "stop creating useless data". Lex Coors, Chief Datacenter Technology and Engineering Officer at Digital Realty, provided a thought-provoking perspective, stating that the "data footprint will be the next ESG" (Environmental, Social, and Governance). He emphasized the critical need for environmental consciousness in data center operations, highlighting that the cloud isn't just in the air but resides within energy-consuming data centers. We're enthusiastic about integrating these invaluable insights into our projects at Group Sigma Architecture! 💡 #KickstartEurope #DataCenters #TechInnovation #GroupSigmaArchitecture

🌳 In our commitment to sustainability, we're not only building structures; we're enhancing ecosystems. This week's BREEAM category spotlight is LAND USE & ECOLOGY. 🌿 This category assesses the impact of a building on the surrounding environment. At Group Sigma, we believe that it is important to design buildings in a way that minimizes their impact on the environment. We selected a site for the Cercle du Lac building that had low ecological value, but we preserved the surrounding environment and retained the site's advantages, including the preservation of all trees except one. We also enhanced ecological features with extensive plantings, promoting biodiversity.🌱🌍 You want to know more? Read our article: “Group Sigma's Commitment to Sustainable Design: https://lnkd.in/emMXZ6e7 BREEAM Official #EcoFriendly #BuildingDesign #SustainableLandUse #SustainableArchitecture #BelgianArchitecture #BREEAM #LandUse

🏗️ Building Sustainability: Materials Matter at the Cercle du Lac Sustainable materials play a significant role in reducing environmental impact of construction. In this week's #BREEAM category spotlight, we delve into MATERIALS. ♻️🏢 We incorporated a number of sustainable materials into the Cercle du Lac building, including: - Recycled PVC (honeycomb panels) and locally sourced sandstone gravel from Hautrage for parking areas: These materials are both sustainable and durable. - Terracotta, glass, aluminum, and concrete for their recyclability: These materials are all recyclable, which helps to reduce the environmental impact of the building's construction and demolition. In addition to using sustainable materials, it is also important to design buildings in a robust way. This means designing buildings to be durable and to last for a long time. It also means designing buildings that are easy to maintain and repair. For the design of the Cercle du Lac, we applied this robust design philosophy with a proper protection of the finishing materials in high-traffic areas which will reduce the need for premature replacement. Through materials’ choice, the life of the buildings is extended and the need for maintenance and repairs is reduced. This leads to money savings and reduces the overall environmental impact of the building sector. 🧱🌎 Every decision during the design of the 'Cercle du Lac' building has been made with sustainability in mind! Learn more in our article detailing how we have applied the BREEAM categories to the project: https://lnkd.in/e8B7pxdq #SustainableMaterials #EcoConstruction #Recycle #SustainableConstruction #BelgianArchitecture

💧 Water is a precious resource, and we took water efficiency seriously while designing the building of the Cercle du Lac as recommended by the #BREEAM framework! We've reduced the building reliance on municipal water supplies through multiple features including: ✓ Dual-flush toilets supplied by rainwater tanks (30,000 L). ✓ Garden irrigation using rainwater. ✓ Effective management of rainwater and runoff through infiltration: - Permeable surfaces for parking areas: We used gravel or grass pavers instead of impermeable surfaces for parking areas. This allows rainwater to infiltrate the ground and recharge groundwater supplies. - Impermeable surfaces featuring an open sky infiltration basin to the north and underground infiltration tanks to the south of the building. These infiltration systems collect and store rainwater, which then infiltrates the ground and recharges groundwater supplies. Why is water efficiency important? ✓ Reduced water costs: Water-efficient buildings use less water, which saves money on water bills. ✓ Reduced environmental impact: Water-efficient buildings reduce the demand for municipal water supplies, which helps to protect water resources and reduce the environmental impact of water production and distribution. ✓ Increased resilience to climate change: Water-efficient buildings are more resilient to climate change, as they are less reliant on municipal water supplies, which may be disrupted by climate change events such as droughts and floods. Next week in our weekly BREEAM category spotlight: the Materials Category! BREEAM Official ♻️ #WaterEfficiency #WaterDesign #WaterManagement #Architecture #Belgium #SustainableWaterManagement #SustainableDesign #SustainaibleArchitecture

🚉 Sustainable Mobility: Connecting the Cercle du Lac and Reducing Carbon Footprint One Commute at a Time At Group Sigma, we believe that sustainable transportation is essential for sustainable design. In this week's #BREEAM category spotlight, we focus on TRANSPORT 🚍 The 'Cercle du Lac' building offers proximity to public transportation, underground cyclist facilities, and enhanced pedestrian pathways. It’s made easier for users to choose sustainable transport options, reducing their carbon footprint one commute at a time! Sustainable transportation has a number of benefits, including: ✓ Reduced traffic congestion: Sustainable transportation can help to reduce traffic congestion, which improves air quality and reduces travel times. ✓ Reduced air pollution: Sustainable transportation produces fewer emissions, which improves air quality and reduces the risk of respiratory problems. ✓ Increased physical activity: Sustainable modes of transport, such as cycling and walking, are forms of physical activity. Physical activity has a number of health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. ✓ Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: Sustainable transportation produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions, which helps to mitigate climate change. Overall, sustainable transportation is better for the environment, the occupants, and the community! #SustainableArchitecture #SustainableTransportation #GreenDesign #EcoCommute #GreenMobility

Join Our Multicultural Team as a Freelance Revit Designer at Group Sigma Architecture Practice! ✨🏗️ Are you passionate about cutting-edge design, industrial innovation, and collaborating with a diverse, multicultural team? Group Sigma is seeking a talented #Freelance #Revit #Designer to work alongside our architects in crafting exceptional large-scale industrial facilities! You will work in a welcoming, open, and secure environment within a team of professionals representing diverse backgrounds and cultures and you will engage in large-scale BIM-based industrial projects, gaining valuable international experience. Required Competences: - Advanced proficiency in Revit (LOD 300/350) and AutoCAD. - Proficiency in SketchUp, 3D software is a plus. - A strong interest in industrial and high-tech projects - English: minimum B1 level - Freelance status To apply, please send your resume and portfolio to Barbara 🏹 Goffioul 🎱 (barbara@chickenwithoutahead.be) Join us and become a part of our vibrant, innovative team, contributing your expertise and creativity to shape extraordinary industrial projects on a global scale! 🌍💡 #DesignerJobs #ArchitectureJobs #RevitDesigner #DesignInnovation #IndustrialProjects #JoinOurTeam #BIMExperience 🖋️🌟