Thor’s Hammer – mine site reconversion in Genk Genk, Belgium
eld teamed up with restoration architects Satijn+ to re-purpose the former Art Deco headquarters of the mining company into a vibrant hub, with meeting spaces, an auditorium, a restaurant & cafe, central reception desk, as well as a daycare center.
Thor Central is to be the gateway to a 30-hectare urban park with recreation space, a technology campus, a business incubator and an energy research center.
In the years to come, Thor park is set to provide work space for 5.000 to 7.000 people, the same number as in the heyday of the coal mining industry, 80 years ago.
Sustainability regarding energy consumption and material application play an important role:
The energy balance of the main building is comparable to a church. The existing massive facades form a passive envelope around the building, providing ample thermal mass. These facades were restored in their original state, without insulation. all halls and surrounding spaces are heated and cooled through climate zones tuned for the specific usage, including solar shading. Heat is recuperated through the ventilation system, and redistributed throughout the building.