OSQB carried out the expansion and renovation of the existing office building on the De Rycke Zand- en Grindcentrale NV site in Kallo, in the heart of the Waaslandhaven industrial landscape. The project was carried out as part of a construction team with contractor Cordeel from Temse. The architectural design was created by in-house architect Michaël Kruijne; OSQB was also responsible for the construction drawings, the structural analysis, and the engineering design, ensuring an integrated approach to both design and execution.

The existing office infrastructure no longer met the needs of a growing, modern concrete producer. Consequently, the decision was made to thoroughly reorganize the building, which involved demolishing part of the existing structure and integrating it into a new expansion. The renovated office accommodates administrative services, meeting facilities, reception areas, technical support functions, and modern workspaces that meet today’s standards for comfort, collaboration, and flexibility.

At the heart of the design is a spacious atrium that connects various departments and ensures maximum natural light enters the building. New office spaces, conference rooms, a cafeteria, flexible workspaces, and informal gathering areas contribute to a pleasant and efficient work environment. By carefully integrating the expansion with the existing buildings, a single, coherent whole is created that reinforces the company’s identity while also being ready for future growth.

In addition to the office expansion, the project also includes the redevelopment of the site. The existing weighbridge was relocated to optimize logistics operations, a new covered bicycle parking facility was added, and the traffic flow for passenger cars and freight traffic was redesigned. Existing paved areas were partially replaced with permeable parking zones and additional landscaping, contributing to a more sustainable design of the site.

Sustainability played an important role in the project. The site already has a comprehensive system for collecting and reusing rainwater within the concrete plant’s production process. As part of this expansion, an additional underground water storage tank with a capacity of approximately 1,862 m³ was installed, allowing rainwater to be used even more efficiently for industrial applications. In addition, further infiltration options were created, and efforts were made to install permeable paving and increase greenery on the site.

By combining architecture, structural engineering, and technical systems within a single multidisciplinary team, OSQB was able to optimally coordinate the various design disciplines. The result is a forward-looking office building that reinforces De Rycke’s professional image, supports its day-to-day operations, and integrates seamlessly into the existing industrial environment of the Waaslandhaven.