Flemish public broadcaster VRT wants to commit to innovation in media production and technology. As part of the construction team VRT Morgen, we are building a brand new media building on the Reyerslaan.
Jan De Nul will take up this challenge, together with colleague-contractor Willemen Construct, construction technology group EEG, architectural offices OFFICE Kersten Geers, David Van Severen, Jaspers-Eyers Architects and Bureau Bas Smets, engineering offices Tractebel and CES and TV and radio studio builder Ideal Acoustics,. Under the name VRT Morgen (which translates as VRT Tomorrow), forces are joined to realise the new VRT house together.
Innovation in media production and technology
The new VRT House is a horizontal building with a total area of some 65,000 m², of which 25,000 m² is underground. It is first and foremost a creative place and is fully committed to flexibility and media creation. Media can be created from the entire building: the necessary facilities and tools will be available everywhere. VRT is also testing out new innovative technologies, such as in the multifunctional studio. The public broadcaster wants to remain innovative and relevant in a constantly changing media landscape.
Renewable energy and green space
With this new building, VRT is betting on sustainability in addition to innovation. It is a compact building, integrated into the natural environment and with a limited ecological footprint. It is 100% free of fossil fuels, uses a well-insulated building envelope and is heated entirely with recovered heat and heat pumps. Another 2,300 m² of solar panels are on the roof to support the electrical system.
The VRT also literally chose a green building with five large interior gardens and adjacent terraces. The combination with the trees and park makes this a distinctly green environment, inside and out.
The future VRT house in figures
65,000 m² of building, of which 40,000 m² above ground
1 base and 1 field of 3 floors
Each floor is 2 football fields large
18,000 m² of flexible workplaces
5,000 m² of green space
5 inner gardens
10,000 m² of meeting rooms
500 m² of event space
3 large TV studios
1 studio on the news floor
5 radio studios
100% accessible for everyone
2,300 m² of solar panels
Encouraging collaboration
Finally, the new media house is also putting maximum emphasis on flexibility and collaboration, placing meeting oppurtunities between VRT employees at the center of its efforts.
Frederik Delaplace, CEO of VRT:
"We have chosen a horizontal building that promotes a new way of working together and breaks down silos between our departments. Our people will literally work together on large work platforms that can respond flexibly to how media will evolve in the coming decades. The building forms a new living world for employees: a place where creation and interaction are central and where we can make media anywhere."
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