A sustainable and positive work environment for one of Europe’s largest banks

BNP Paribas’ headquarters are located in the centre of Brussels, opposite the Bozar museum. The former office, a building erected by the Société Générale in the 1970s, was no longer able to meet the needs of the bank’s employees when thinking of energy efficiency, comfort, and a modern and positive work environment. In line with its ambition to become carbon neutral, BNP Paribas chose for facilities, solutions and techniques which are in line with the most advanced standards in terms of sustainability and employee well-being, combining ecological, economic, aesthetic and social sustainability.

Client: BNP Paribas
Location: Brussels
Period: 2014-2021
Services: HVAC technology, electrical engineering, sanitary facilities, EPB reporting, Sustainability advice
Surface: 65,000 m²
Certification: BREEAM Excellent/Passive

Innovative building techniques help to reach target

With expertise in HVAC technology, fire safety, electrical engineering, sanitary facilities, EPB reporting and sustainability consulting, we at Sweco could help the bank to reach its ambitious goal. With nine above-ground and four below-ground floors, the brand new headquarters account today for 100,000 m² and 4,500 workstations. Montagne du Parc contains an auditorium, a conference centre, and an underground parking.

5 olympic-sized swimming pools provide green heating and cooling

When the previous building was demolished, the foundations were preserved. Materials were reused and recycled as much as possible. Because part of the original basement space was no longer needed, the lower level could be used for Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage (STES). There is no less than 12,000 m³ of water under the building, enough for five Olympic-sized swimming pools. This gigantic water battery in the basement coupled with heat pumps, guarantees the thermal comfort of the building in winter and summer. Thanks to studies and all the energy efficiency measures taken, we could reduce the energy consumption by a factor of seven compared to the former building.

The excellent airtightness of the building envelope, coupled with an innovative thermal comfort system, eliminates the need for fossil fuels, with a considerable reduction in BNP Paribas’ carbon footprint.

150 kWp of photovoltaic panels

The building also has an extensive green roof of 5,500 m² as well as a 150 kWp of photovoltaic panels. The complete set of building techniques, green roof, photovoltaic panels, sustainable design, and energy storage system, wowed the jury of the 2022 MIPIM Awards. It is therefore not surprising that Montagne du Parc received the prestigious Best Office and Business Development Award. Moreover, it’s is a passive building that has been BREEAM Excellent certified.

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