AGC Glass Building

AGC Glass Europe inaugurated its new headquarters, the AGC Glass Building, a nearly zero-energy building located at Louvain-la-Neuve, 25 km to the south of Brussels. With a capacity of more than 500 people the AGC Glass Building now houses all the group’s management and administrative services which were previously scattered across various parts of the country.

Sustainability and comfort
With a BREEAM1 certification rating of “excellent” in the design stage, the building has a practically neutral energy balance. The limited
energy requirements for heating, cooling and artificial lighting are almost entirely offset by the electricity produced by 900 solar panels on the roof and heat drawn from ground heat pumps. In his inaugural address, Jean-François Heris, CEO of AGC Glass Europe and President of the Walloon Business Federation, welcomed the choice of advanced glass solutions (more than 13,000 m² of AGC glass) which played a crucial role in creating a sustainable, innovative headquarters. Professor David Strong2, author of a study of the benefits of natural light for the occupants of buildings added: “This building is designed so that all its occupants are seated close to the large glazed bays that offer a very high quality of natural light. As such it is an outstanding example of the new generation of sustainable buildings which pay more attention to the wellbeing of the occupants.”

Glass innovation
The building, which stands on stilts above the ground-floor car park, has a double outside skin of glass. The first skin (on the inside) consists of double glazing in extra-clear glass with superinsulating and solar control coatings3. The second skin (on the outside) for its part is truly unique because it is dynamic, made up of movable louvres of screenprinted glass with alternating white stripes on either side. The louvres automatically follow the movement of the sun to let in the maximum amount of natural light while protecting the people inside from glare and excess heat. Inside the building has offices, a conference centre, a dining area, patios and gardens spread over two floors. A majestic gallery that also incorporates an auditorium spreads across the width of the building.