Locinox
Locinox is a Belgian family business based in Waregem and an innovative market leader in high-quality (electro)mechanical locks and hinges for gates and fencing.
From the design stage onwards, we approached this major project in the most sustainable and future-oriented way possible, with a strong focus on flexibility and adaptability.
Sven Goedefroo
The biggest challenge of this project lay in the scale and complexity of the programme: an industrial development of approximately 33,000 m² of industrial space and 7,000 m² of office space, realised on a new industrial site with strict urban planning and water management conditions.
Firstly, the site is prone to flooding, which required a well-considered and climate-robust approach. The site was raised by approximately 2 metres so that the buildings could be constructed safely and in a future-proof manner. At the same time, space for water was still provided, with the construction of compensation basins (approx. 9,000 m³) and the use of water-permeable pavements (8,000 m²).
In addition to water management, space efficiency also played a crucial role. A compact, multi-storey industrial building with large spans and high floor loads was chosen, equipped with sprinkler systems for fire safety. This design guarantees a sustainable but also flexible layout, allowing activities to be easily changed in the future without major structural alterations.
The entire structure is made of precast concrete, including the roof floor.
This choice offers several advantages: high fire resistance, strong thermal inertia, minimal maintenance, long service life and a robust appearance.
Concrete also made it possible to create large spans of up to 10–12 metres in the office areas. In combination with raised floors, movable system walls and climate ceilings, this created the high-quality and future-proof flexibility in the office layout that was sought.
The chosen construction method also offered advantages in terms of planning: the entire project was completed within two years. In addition, the buildings are structurally prepared for future expansions, with the end walls of the warehouses explicitly designed for this purpose.
Finally, there were a few specific technical challenges, including creating a super-flat floor for a high-bay warehouse on unstable ground (former agricultural land) and building up to 2 metres below the safety zone of a high-voltage power line.
These preconditions required careful technical elaboration and coordination, and were seamlessly integrated into the design.
