La Confluence: Holcim roofing powers Namur’s urban regeneration
In the Belgian city of Namur, Wallonia, where the Sambre and Meuse rivers meet, you can find La Confluence. Since its completion in 2021, this project – which was realized using Holcim’s high-value Building Solutions – has revitalized the once-neglected district of Le Grognon.
An esplanade, pedestrian bridge and lush green spaces attract locals and visitors alike, while the project’s stunning centerpiece is a building dedicated to Namur as the city of tomorrow, called “NID”, or “Namur Intelligente et Durable” (“Intelligent and Sustainable Namur” in English).
This center includes a restaurant and scientific and educational center. This informs visitors about the challenges of future-proofing Namur through exhibitions, conferences, field trips and events. NID positions Namur as a vibrant, bold and innovative capital in Wallonia, while the public amenities it provides position La Confluence at the heart of the local community.
The center’s stunning green roof – enabled by Elevate and ZinCo – brings more nature into the city and ensures the building’s longevity and resilience.
Elevate’s RubberGard EPDM ensures outstanding waterproofing
ZinCo’s intensive green roof provides numerous benefits to people and nature
Establishes Namur as a vibrant, bold and innovative capital in the heart of Wallonia
Elevate gives durability and waterproofing
However, the striking design of La Confluence meant its realization was far from straightforward, as Philippe de Menten, from BEE Architect in Namur, who worked on the project, explains.
“On a technical level, the roof of La Confluence presented several challenges. The first was its shape, because it is curved. The second one is that it’s a roof that is accessible, so it is subject to usage constraints,” he says.
Thanks to our broad product portfolio, powered by premium brands, Holcim is close to our customers, and we provide tailor-made roofing solutions for renovation and new build projects. La Confluence is no exception, and here 3,000m2 of Elevate’s innovative RubberGard EPDM roofing membrane was chosen to provide waterproofing and durability for decades to come.
This single-ply roofing membrane provides outstanding durability, resilience and adaptability, while its composition gives it excellent resistance to UV, heat, ozone, micro-organisms as well as climatic events that are driving demand for such sustainable, resilient construction.
ZinCo brings nature into Namur
ZinCo’s intensive green roofing systems are another standout feature of La Confluence, bringing nature into the city, enhancing stormwater management, and controlling temperatures for visitors inside the building by countering the urban heat island effect.
So that people can enjoy it to the fullest, a walkway combined with benches gracefully winds across the lush green rooftop of the La Confluence building, complemented by a spacious esplanade designed to host social gatherings and events.
Did you know?
Green roofs offer benefit to both people and nature:
- Green roofs and walls can reduce the urban heat island effect by cooling local temperatures by between 3.6°C and 11.3°C, depending on the city
- Installing green roofs can reduce a building’s cooling load by up to 70%, giving substantial energy savings and improved comfort for occupants
- Ecologically designed green roofs provide important wildlife habitats, including a wide range of insects, pollinators like bees, and even ground-nesting birds
- Green roofs can help buildings retain at least 51% of annual rainfall, reducing urban runoff and the risk of flooding
- Green roofs release oxygen and remove atmospheric pollutants (including carbon dioxide), and the vegetation helps reduce smog and dust pollution, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier urban environment
“La Confluence perfectly illustrates the versatility of Elevate Rubbergard EPDM. It’s an easy-to-install waterproofing solution that adapts effortlessly to all roof shapes. Thanks to its durable, aesthetic finish, it's also the ideal choice for flat and green roofs.”
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