BENELUX TROPHY FOR HOT DIP GALVANIZING 2021

Across the three categories, the award for circular construction was also presented. Since a grand awards ceremony could not be organized due to corona measures, Zinkinfo personally visited the 4 laureates to present them with the trophy.  

As with the 2019 edition, this year 3 projects were awarded in 3 categories: functional galvanizing, aesthetic galvanizing, duplex systems and the award for circular construction. The choice between aesthetic galvanizing and functional galvanizing should promote the dialogue between executor and galvanizing, so that the expectations of the (end) client and the final result are better aligned. In addition, the separate category for duplex systems was retained and the jury again awarded the prize for the most sustainable, so to speak, circular project. A clear "statement" that expresses the industry's support for the principles of circular construction.

The winners are:

CATEGORY FUNCTIONAL ZINCING: Tropical greenhouse for botanical garden Flora

The size and shape of this greenhouse structure presented many technical challenges. The glass shell is mounted directly to the steel structure. To avoid glass breakage, no tolerances are possible in the galvanized steel. With large, arched round trusses, it was quite a job to realize this. Moreover, much attention was paid to the optimal layer thickness and the appearance of the zinc coating. In short: both from a technical and aesthetic point of view, a very successful project that makes optimal use of the strengths of hot-dip galvanized steel.

CATEGORY ESTHETICIZING: Melopee

A striking feature of Melopee is the green outdoor room: a grid of galvanized steel along which lush greenery will soon find its way. The steel structure creates a sense of slenderness for the outdoor room to preserve openness and enhance visual contact with the water. Galvanized steel is a type of structural material that produces unique and interesting results provided proper attention is paid to execution and detailing, which is certainly the case here.

CATEGORY DUPLEX: Station canopy Mechelen NMBS

This project is a feat both architecturally and constructionally. As an extension of the existing Vierendeel bridges over the Leuvense Vaart, the canopy is set out with 3 connected arches. By extending the arch shape of the bridges into the canopy, the architect not only shows respect for Mechelen's railroad history, but also immediately incorporates the unique presence of a waterway into the design. The galvanizing of the cantilevering arms for the façade construction was a major challenge which was perfectly executed thanks to intensive consultation between designer, steel manufacturer and galvanizer.

PRICE CIRCULAR BUILDING: Circular Pavilion Energy Knowledge Center

The Energy Knowledge Center is a prime example of circular building and the consistent choices that come with it. The architects went all out for reusable and reused building materials. Building on a landfill poses a challenge. Piling or heavy foundations were out of the question. The demountable galvanized steel skeleton with its 108 columns rests loosely on concrete slabs placed in a sand bed on a protective foil. This construction method allows the temporary intervention in the landscape to be erased if necessary.