TETRIS BUSINESS PARK GHENT
smar t real estate solutions for unpredictable times
de site Krachtige landschapsvormen
VOORONTWERP - schaal 1/500
Copyright architectuur: Arch & Teco
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Aantrekkingskracht van water - Waterbuffering als esthetisch element.
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Ecologisch bewust: Bloemrijk grasland, afwisseling tussen intensief en extensief grasland.
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TETRIS BUSINESS PARK GHENT
CONTENTS TETRIS: 5 FLEXIBLE OFFICE SOLUTIONS FOR UNPREDICTABLE TIMES GHENT: 9 BASE FOR THE NEW WAY OF WORKING THE SOLUTION: 19 SUPREME FLEXIBILITY: FROM THE RENTAL CONTRACT TO THE ARCHITECTURE ‘THE LOOP’’: 29 A BRAND-NEW URBAN DISTRICT BANIMMO: 37 SMART SOLUTIONS FOR UNPREDICTABLE TIMES
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TETRIS FLEXIBLE OFFICE SOLUTIONS FOR UNPREDICTABLE TIMES
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TETRIS: FLEXIBLE OFFICE SOLUTIONS FOR UNPREDICTABLE TIMES
TETRIS IS ALL ABOUT FLEXIBILITY
Tetris is a new office concept Banimmo is deploying for the first time at Tetris Business Park Ghent, at ‘The Loop’, a location you know as Flanders Expo in Ghent. ‘Flexible office solutions for unpredictable times’ is a good description of the underlying concept. These are indeed unpredictable times: it is increasingly hard for business operators to guess what the future holds in store. There is no point in offering a standard nine-year binding contract that can be ended every three years to entrepreneurs who cannot be sure if their business will have doubled in size or shrunk by 10% in three years’ time. What entrepreneurs need is Banimmo’s flexible Tetris real estate option. Tetris is all about flexibility in terms of the surface area, the subdivisable potential of the premises/floors and the rental agreement. Banimmo created Tetris as a set of customised real estate options to keep up with the current economic uncertainties.
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Architecture: Copyright Arch & Teco
GHENT BASE FOR THE NEW WAY OF WORKING 9
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GHENT: BASE FOR THE NEW WAY OF WORKING
WHERE THE E40 AND E17 MOTORWAYS MEET As an entrepreneur you are obviously on the look-out for the ideal location for your company. Due to the less than ideal accessibility of Antwerp and Brussels, the city of Ghent is increasingly becoming an attractive option. For many companies a physical presence in the capital is no longer a priority. Public authorities are also increasingly decentralising their administrations to major cities. Ghent is ideally situated, at the crossroads of the E40 (Brussels-Ostend) and E17 (AntwerpLille) motorways. In terms of the number of travellers per day, the Gent-Sint-Pieters railway station is the second leading station in Belgium after Brussels.
to continuing living in Ghent). As the student population of the University of Ghent and the various colleges of higher education totals 60.000, Ghent can justifiably claim to be the ‘largest student city in Flanders’. These education establishments have also spawned many research units in recent years, particularly in the ICT and biotechnology sectors, which is why Ghent likes to be called the capital of ‘Flanders Biotech Valley’. Ghent is also called ‘the best kept secret in Europe’ when it comes to tourism, being ranked as one of the world’s top 10 places you have to visit – at least according to the Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel’ guide.
Ghent has grown over the past few years into an exciting, viable city boasting a whole host of shopping opportunities, cultural institutions and a university that produces academic high-fliers year after year (who are also eager
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GHENT: BASE FOR THE NEW WAY OF WORKING
With so many quick connections to highways and public transport, you might have painted a picture of Tetris as being a huge concrete jungle with hardly a tree or patch of green in sight. You would be wrong though. Tetris is as green as modern office environments get. There are trees and fresh patches of grass everywhere – a perfect atmosphere to really focus on getting your job done.
GREEN, INSIDE AND OUT
But there is even more. Two brand new bike paths, neatly separated from other traffic, will bring you into the heart of Ghent in no time. But why not stay closer and have lunch on the benches in the lush Maaltepark, overlooking the waterways surrounding Ghent? The magnificent garden is only a short walk from your office. You’ll feel recharged in no time. We’ve positioned the buildings at Tetris in such a way as to maximize natural sunlight in your office. This reduces energy costs and offers a light and breezy environment. You’ll feel right at home.
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GHENT: BASE FOR THE NEW WAY OF WORKING
The advent of the ‘New Way of Working’ is a key trend that has had an increasing impact on office design in recent years.
YOU AND YOUR EMPLOYEES ARE ATTACHING MORE AND MORE IMPORTANCE TO YOUR WORK/ LIFE BALANCE
A hybrid form somewhere between a reception and meeting place, an office is not only an area where people can concentrate on individual tasks at hand. It also needs to be an attractive spot where employees feel at ease and can efficiently work together on projects. Some employers even offer multi-purpose areas where employees can physically exert themselves or facility services, such as crèches and household help. Contemporary ICT technology provides a trouble-free, low-cost way of catering to the increasing number of people who are deciding to work some of the time from home. Another trend is the fact that employees attach a higher value to striking the right work/life balance. Losing less time during the daily commute is certainly part of this endeavour. Business operators can offer their employees a broad range of mobility services as Tetris Business Park Ghent is located at the intersection of the E40 and E17 motorways, the Gent-Sint-Pieters railway station is within easy reach and there is a convenient tram system available. Moreover, travelling by bike is a pleasure, thanks to the carefully-thought-out and safe cycle network along the canal belt.
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Architecture: Copyright Arch & Teco
GHENT: BASE FOR THE NEW WAY OF WORKING
Benefits of the ‘New Way of Working’:
The flexible design of the Tetris concept means less need for workplaces, offices and parking spaces. As a result, a business operator’s real estate is not just a cost but an INVESTMENT in achieving higher performance.
The LOCATION of Tetris Business Park Ghent implies less stress and a higher quality of life for your employees as a result of a smoother commuting experience. Companies find it easier to hold on to staff, while having more pulling power on the labour market. These are strong arguments for companies in view of the evermore intense “war on talent”.
The Tetris concept also involves saving time, a smaller carbon footprint and less fuel consumption. Apart from the business savings the Tetris concept also offers companies the opportunity to make an ecological leap towards SUSTAINABLE business practices.
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FIRST REALISATION AT TETRIS BUSINESS PARK GHENT
THE SOLU TION
SUPREME FLEXIBILITY: FROM THE RENTAL CONTRACT TO THE ARCHITECTURE 19
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Architecture: Copyright Arch & Teco
THE SOLUTION: SUPREME FLEXIBILITY
The Ghent architectural firm Arch & Teco responded to Banimmo’s request to develop a fully modular and flexible building system so customers can grow along with their premises and vice versa. Companies’ office space requirements now vary much more than before. Banimmo’s TBG caters to their needs in today’s market. The design of every building is based on a set basic module, 18m by 18m. Hence the name Tetris, based on the game where blocks can be put together in endless combinations.
while all users still retain their own identities. The buildings can also be interconnected below ground level so that two sets of premises can be used as one building. Users also can choose from different finalisation options for the facades. The flexible architecture based on set basic modules means flexible rental agreements tailored to the customer can be developed. These are consistent with the requirements of operators who have to manage their companies during unpredictable times.
As there are no fixed walls or columns, each floor can be arranged with closed offices or as an open plan office. A building may have different entrances so it can be divided or sublet
THE TENANT OR BUYER LAYS THE FIRST STONE OF THE BUILDING 21
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THE SOLUTION: SUPREME FLEXIBILITY
CEO HOPES All CEOs sincerely hope to see a lasting economic recovery within a few years’ time but are obviously reluctant to invest in an extra large building or additional premises or bind themselves to a long-term rental contract for premises that are too big. Nor should the current offices constitute a barrier to a rapid expansion or any centralisation of the activities. The Tetris concept offers the opportunity to reserve a part of a building now as a shell or possible extension on an adjacent site or building.
HR PEAKS AND TROUGHS HR managers are the first to admit that the size of a company’s workforce never stays the same for very long. They have to deal with these variations in advance by planning to have sufficient workplaces – not too many nor too little - while keeping in mind the need to cope with real peaks and troughs from time to time. Tetris Business Park Ghent can cater to this need for flexibility. A clear example is the possibility of reserving office space or land in the light of a forthcoming expansion.
CFO REASSURED Hoping to see a business grow is one thing but business operators always have to bear in mind the opposite scenario. A building can suddenly become too big and expensive, a problem that is invariably handed over to the CFO. It is clearly an advantage when some of the rented property can be sublet. The flexible Tetris concept makes this a problem-free option.
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CONFIGURATOR START
STEP 1 OFFICES/ OTHERS
STEP 2 SEDENTARY/ NOMAD
SURFACE: 10,000 SQM
STEP 3 CLOSED/ OPEN
STEP 4 TALKING/ THINKING
RESULT
OFFICES OTHERS
75% 25% SEDENTARY NOMAD
40% 60% CLOSED OPEN
20% 80%
TRY IT YOURSELF AT: : WWW.TETRISBUSINESSPARK.BE
TALKING THINKING
85% 15%
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THE SOLUTION: SUPREME FLEXIBILITY
Banimmo has developed the handy ‘Configurator’ tool which can be found at www.tetrisbusinesspark.be. A questionnaire helps you determine your aspirations and requirements. According to the questionnaire HR managers are more and more likely to be key decision-makers with regards to real estate issues in addition to CEOs and CFOs. The ‘Configurator’ helps you, the end user, gain a clear understanding of your requirements. It provides you with the groundwork for defining the layout and size of your building. Tetris Business Park Ghent is built entirely on a ‘tailor-made basis’ but without the risks. You as a tenant or buyer therefore lay the first stone of your building. The following question modules are examined one by one: OFFICES/OTHERS: Offices and laboratories require very different approaches. Consider your requirements. SEDENTARY/NOMAD: the ‘New Way of Working’ means not everybody is always at work. People who spend less than 50% of their working hours in the office do not need a fixed workplace. It is therefore better to operate according to the clean desk principle, touch down offices, work lounges and check points with several people sharing one office. In short: there is no longer a clear relationship between the size of your workforce and the number of workplaces required in your building. CLOSED/OPEN: the division between open-plan offices and individual workplaces is of crucial importance for calculating the overall surface area required. In other words: a top priority. TALKING/THINKING: a detailed analysis of your way of working determines the number and size of the meeting rooms.
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THE SOLUTION: SUPREME FLEXIBILITY
CASE: MERGER Your company is postponing its relocation plans because a takeover or merger is being considered that would imply a substantial increase in the amount of space available. Tetris Business Park Ghent can offer a solution! Depending on what extra space is needed, space for expansion may be provided or reserved in the building to be created or on an adjacent site. It is always possible to connect adjacent buildings.
CASE: SALE The decision to relocate has to be postponed because your company is considering selling parts of its operations or reorganising at another site. In this case, Tetris Business Park Ghent can also offer a solution! A flexible rental agreement would allow you to return and/or transfer some of the space you originally rented.
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Architecture: Copyright Arch Arch && Teco Teco Copyright architectuur:
‘THE LOOP’ A BRAND-NEW URBAN DISTRICT
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DIRECTION RAILWAY STATION GENT-ST-PIETERS
TETRIS BUSINESS PARK GHENT
FLANDERS EXPO HOLIDAY INN GENT EXPO
IKEA GHENT
DIRECTION OSTEND KBC TOWER
DIRECTION DEINZE DIRECTION BRUSSELS
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THE LOOP: A BRAND-NEW URBAN DISTRICT
INFRASTRUCTURE BOOSTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE ‘The Loop’ is a brand-new urban district developed on what used to be the Sint-DenijsWestrem airfield. Its main claim to fame now is being the location of Flanders Expo. Ikea and KBC have moved in as well but there is still a lot of space available. According to the Spatial Execution Plan (SEP) ‘The Loop’ site is to be provided with 552,500 SQM of office, residential, accommodation, retail and leisure areas, including an outlet centre and a cinema complex between Flanders Expo and IKEA. Grondbank The Loop nv, a partnership between AG Stadsontwikkelingsbedrijf Gent (SOGENT) and Banimmo nv, has made the development of the site possible thanks to the construction of the infrastructure and the possession of land plots for the (phased) development of 372,000 SQM.
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Architecture: Copyright Arch Arch && Teco Teco Copyright architectuur:
THE LOOP: A BRAND-NEW URBAN DISTRICT
552,500 SQM OFFICE RETAIL LEISURE Banimmo has recently started with the commercialisation of Tetris Business Park Ghent and is set to erect a series of buildings (officelike facilities, laboratories, etc.) from 3,000 to 12,000 SQM with a maximum of six floors and an overall surface area of 60,000 SQM between the canal belt and Flanders Expo. A first building has now been handed over to the Flemish Environment Agency. Tetris Business Park Ghent is committed to the successful implementation of ‘The Loop’ site, striking the right balance between building and nature, paying a lot of attention to the need for sustainability (via the BREEAM standards) and accessibility. And above all: with a flexible concept catering to the business operator’s requirements.
The site is located to the south of Ghent, four kilometres from the city centre, a stone’s throw from the Gent-Sint-Pieters station and between the E40 and R4 motorways. Hence ‘The Loop’ is ideally accessible by car or the public transport system. Time is money, in the case of real estate as well. As ‘The Loop’ site is already covered by a Spatial Execution Plan (SEP) and the required infrastructure is already available, the construction process can be completed in no time: 18 months between the signing of the contract and the handover is a realistic proposition. The Tetris concept is completely focused on pragmatic and flexible solutions that can be achieved in the short or longer term.
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THE LOOP: A BRAND-NEW URBAN DISTRICT
WHY WOULD YOU PUT YOUR LIFE ON HOLD WHILE YOU’RE AT THE OFFICE? Don’t you think it’s about time we got over the crazy quest for a perfect work-life balance. There is no such thing. Working is living. After all: why would you put your life on hold while you’re at the office? Why would it be impossible to enjoy the eight or more hours you spend working every day? We think the best work is done when you’re feeling good. So we’ve provided an environment that lifts your spirit. At Tetris, you work and live at the same time. Why not enjoy half an hour of yoga with other professionals at ten o’clock in the morning, instead of drinking that tenth cup of coffee while reading a lame Dilbert comic by the photocopier? Or how about a light massage to forget about that annoying phone call? Or a healthy and tasty lunch instead of a greasy, premade sandwich that tastes like cardboard? Tetris is both a great place to work, and a great place to live. Perfect for the modern-day entrepreneur.
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Architecture: Copyright Arch & Teco
BANIMMO SMART SOLUTIONS FOR UNPREDICTABLE TIMES 37
ELECTROLUX
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MOBISTAR
DOLCE LA HULPE
BANIMMO: SMART SOLUTIONS FOR UNPREDICTABLE TIMES
BANIMMO DEVELOPS FLEXIBLE OFFICES BUILT TO SUIT THE CUSTOMER Banimmo is a listed real estate company. A core activity is the redevelopment of obsolete immovable assets, such as office buildings, retail centres, shops, galleries, conference centres and exhibition areas in Belgium, France and Luxembourg. In some cases, the original purpose is retained but a conversion into residential buildings, service flats or supported accommodation structures is also feasible, whereupon the renovated spaces are once again offered for rent and/or sale. Banimmo develops flexible offices built to suit the customer. This is the Tetris concept which is being deployed for the first time in Ghent. The concept is also being applied at other sites where specific development plans are available.
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CONTACT TETRIS BUSINESS PARK GHENT
E-mail: info@tetrisbusinesspark.be Website: www.tetrisbusinesspark.be
Tel. 02 710 53 11 Website: www.banimmo.be
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09 233 86 00