Largest real estate project inspired by Cradle to Cradle® in Europe officially opened!

On February 5th, 2024 the official opening of ZIN took place in an attendance of 100 selected invitees.
ZIN is the transformation of Towers 1 & 2 of the WTC complex in the North area of Brussels. After dismantling, the existing towers were interconnected by a new volume of 14 floors of double height. The ZIN project combines different functions in a highly innovative way: Housing, working and living are accommodated in one building. The functions are intertwined like the stripes of a zebra. With this mix of functions the building will always be full of life, seven days a week.
Inspired by the strict requirements of the Flemish government for the office section, developer Befimmo with the help of EPEA Benelux developed a project specific Cradle to Cradle approach for the entire ZIN project. The results are remarkable:

• All suppliers of materials for the building were motivated to obtain certification under the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Standard. This resulted in a flow of circular materials for the construction of the building and it provided an incentive for the Belgian industry partners to implement Cradle to Cradle strategies for their products and organizations.
  EPEA helped dozens of product manufacturers obtain this ambitious certification.
• The concrete from the old buildings was tested against the strict Material Health and Product Circularity requirements of the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Standard and made available for reuse in Cradle to Cradle Certified® concrete that was used for the new building. A world’s first!
  EPEA developed the testing protocol, provided quality assurance and helped the concrete manufacturer obtain Cradle to Cradle Certified® certification.
• A Materials Passport for the complete building was developed, showcasing the circular value of all materials used.
  EPEA improved the format for the Materials Passport, used it as a ‘living document’ to reach maximum circular performance during the project development phase and integrated it in the Madaster platform so the data remains available to all relevant stakeholders during operation and future renovation.
• Before demolition, EPEA invited selected Cradle to Cradle suppliers to harvest materials from the old building and make them available for high-level reuse and recycling.
  A total volume of 1.000 tons was recovered from the building and saved from becoming waste.
• A lush green oasis in the mainly grim North area of Brussels is created with over 10,000 herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees indoors as well as outdoors. A showcase that buildings can contribute to more sustainable cities and urban wellbeing.

The project stands as an inspiration for circular construction in the ‘capitol of Europe’, Brussels. Please feel free to reach out to our Brussels and Eindhoven offices for information, enquiries or possible tours of the building!

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