Architectural concrete benches enhance metropolitan look Baelskaai in Ostend

Passersby who want to take a break on the Hendrik Baelskaai can now recline on one of the architectural benches made by concrete manufacturer Bleijko. The benches are custom-made and identical to the paving in concrete tiles with natural stone appearance.

East of the center of Ostend, in the historic fishing port, the prestigious Oosteroever project is being diligently worked on today. On the Hendrik Baelskaai, the first part of the development, the road works have been completed for some time now. Since the renovated quay attracts many walkers and cyclists, the agso-Oostende and Farys decided to place benches. For this they joined forces with Bleijko, the company from Roeselare that also supplied all concrete tiles and linear elements for the paving of the Baelskaai. There, the concrete tiles were given natural stone granules in the top layer and were both ground and steel blasted. The same coating also formed the starting point for the concrete benches.

Customized

"We applied the same wear layer to the benches, making them identical to the concrete tiles. The benches are also steel blasted," explains Frank Mortier, account manager at Bleijko. "Obtaining an identical look was quite a technical challenge. With the concrete tiles, the natural stone appearance is contained in the wear layer applied on top of the tile. Here, the wear layer is incorporated into the mass of the concrete. As a result, the benches were completely custom produced for this project."

A total of more than 120 meters of concrete benches are involved. They are covered with a tropical type of wood. Mortier: "We produced several molds with various lengths and depths, depending on where the bench would be placed. The initial design did not include the benches, so we had to take into account the slope of the site, which again could vary depending on the location. Usually we produce our concrete products mechanically, but here everything was done manually, right down to the steel blasting." 

Metropolitan appeal

Passersby have been able to relax on one of Bleijko's architectural benches since February. The firm is rightly proud of the realization. "Our benches contribute to the metropolitan look of the Baelskaai. The contrast with the former fishing port could not be greater," Mortier said. Bleijko is far from gone on Oosteroever. The firm also hopes to supply numerous concrete products for other areas of the extensive project in the coming years.