Leiehome Residential Care Center, Drongen

For the new WZC Leiehome in Drongen, featuring 59 assisted living units, a local service center, and underground parking, De Klerck Engineering provided the structural engineering and building services design, and EPB reporting as part of a Design & Build contract. The sustainability vision followed the “less is more” principle: a building and technical systems designed to minimize energy consumption, including passive cooling.

Heat is generated by individual, reversible air-to-water heat pumps operating at low-temperatures of 40/30°C, providing underfloor heating as the primary heating source, supplemented by air heating during peak periods. All enclosed spaces are ventilated by a balanced Type D ventilation system with heat recovery through a cross-flow heat exchanger, supplemented by free cooling and night cooling.

Rainwater is collected for toilet flushing, and PV panels were installed in accordance with EPB requirements.