Accoya glue laminated beams were used for the façade of the casino. When deciding the material for the façade, the designers wanted a material that would stand the test of time while being durable and resistant to harsh environments. Given the coastal location, Accoya was the ideal material for this demanding project. Accoya is durability class 1, tried and tested not to shrink and swell as much as other wood species and also comes with a 50-year above ground warranty.
Main contractor HESS TIMBER, specialist in timber engineering, known for its work on Google’s HQ in King’s Cross, London played a pivotal role in this project. The SILT casino’s impressive structure, measuring 42 metres by 33 metres with a height of 25 metres, is made from 115m³ of glue laminated Accoya. The use of wood and natural materials were instrumental to the project, with manufacturer, Hasslacher Holzbauteile and installer, Arwo Bouw ensuring the factory made components fitted together quickly on site to form the modern façade.
In terms of planning and coordination, it was a challenging project, according to HESS TIMBER: “The installation was challenging because the other works on the casino were already well advanced. Accessibility and free workspace were limited, and completed works had to be protected. The load-bearing capacity of the balconies and allowed free zones was also limited, meaning that the use of heavy machinery in the immediate vicinity of the building was not an option. However, the relatively low weight of the components was an advantage.”
Image rights: Cover image – ©Stefan Steenkiste, image left and below – ©Senne Das/Medialife
Project Details
- Location: Middelkerke,Belgium
- Size: 39,200 m²
- Material: 3,060 m long Accoya wooden beams
- Architects: ZJA, OZ, DELVA and Bureau Bouwtechniek Construction companies: Furnibo and Democo Specialists in wooden constructions: HESS TIMBER
- Manufacture of the parts: Manufactured by HASSLACHER Holzbauteile Installation: Arwo Bouw was involved in the installation
- Construction time: Completion within one year
- Challenges: Complex geometry, limited work space, corrosion resistance near the sea
- Height of the building: 25 meters
- Inspiration: Design is reminiscent of Hafenbolder, used for docking ships
- Number of wooden parts: 1314 components made from 115 m³ of laminated wood
- Corrosion protection: Use of corrosion-resistant stainless steel for connectors
- Image rights: ©Stefan Steenkiste, ©Senne Das/Medialife and ©Democo Group