Efficient architecture in a landmark development

Situated in Namur, adjacent to the train station and bordered by Boulevard Mélot and Avenue des Combattants, the AXS Namur project, designed by Montois Partners Architects, redefines urban architecture in Belgium. This 39,000 m² mixed-use real estate complex comprises five office buildings, a hotel, a student residence, and an underground parking facility. It stands out not only for its functionality and design but also for its strong focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.

Neolith played a pivotal role in this project, cladding the ventilated facades of five buildings with its Just White 6mm+ material. Spanning 3,000 m², the material delivers a flawless aesthetic and outstanding performance.

Neolith's ventilated facade system has become an innovative and efficient architectural solution, offering superior thermal performance while protecting structures from harsh weather conditions. This system allows air to circulate between the building's structural wall and the exterior sintered stone cladding, preventing condensation and enhancing thermal and acoustic insulation.

These features make Neolith’s ventilated facade the ideal solution for a country with an ever-changing climate like Belgium. "In Belgium, temperatures can fluctuate significantly between day and night, making ventilated facades an ideal solution. This system enables air circulation through the facade, preventing condensation," explains Pascual Pérez, Neolith Project Manager for AXS Namur.

The facade also performs exceptionally well in rainy weather. "The airflow helps to remove accumulated rainwater, preventing moisture-related issues. This avoids the appearance of stains and efflorescence, which are common with traditional natural stone facades that are directly adhered to the building," Pérez adds.

To ensure maximum safety and durability for such a large-scale project, Neolith opted for the VM System ventilated facade. This system comprises support brackets, vertical profiles, and visible panel attachment clips. "Thanks to its combination of mechanical and chemical fixation, this system offers greater security for buildings," Pérez explains.

To enhance dimensional stability, a flexible adhesive cord is applied along the vertical profiles, ensuring the correct positioning of panels and improving the system's response to wind pressure, suction, and gravitational loads. This solution also absorbs potential wind-induced vibrations.

AXS Namur is a testament to efficient and environmentally conscious architecture. Neolith's ventilated facades play a crucial role in this vision by improving the thermal performance of buildings through the air cavity between the outer panels and inner wall. This feature, combined with the thermal bridge break present in all brackets, stabilizes indoor temperatures year-round, enhancing user comfort and significantly reducing energy consumption.

“The ventilated facade system provides energy savings of up to 40%”

Pascual Pérez,
Neolith Project Manager

In addition to energy savings, resource waste was minimized through the technical assistance of Neolith's technical department. "To be more efficient, we collaborated with the architects to study the different facades and produced a special slab format, which reduced material waste during cutting and streamlined supply," Pérez highlights.

Neolith Just White stands out not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its exceptional technical characteristics. Its white tone brings a fresh and sophisticated touch, subtly enhancing the urban landscape. This contemporary design contrasts and complements the surrounding more traditional brick architecture, bringing brightness and versatility to the AXS Namur facades.

Beyond its beauty, Neolith Just White excels in resilience to extreme weather conditions. Its durability against moisture, intense cold, and thermal variations ensures that surfaces maintain their functionality and appearance over time. As a non-porous material, it resists stains and is easy to maintain, making it a practical and long-lasting solution.

AXS Namur exemplifies how architectural design, and innovation can transform urban spaces with solutions that combine functionality, sustainability, and beauty. This project not only highlights Neolith's versatility but also its ability to adapt to the demands of dynamic and evolving environments.

With its sintered stone surfaces and advanced ventilated facade systems, Neolith continues to position itself as a leader in the architectural surface sector, contributing to groundbreaking projects worldwide. Thanks to its durability and resistance, buildings maintain their pristine appearance even under the most challenging conditions.

Through its collaborations on projects like AXS Namur, Neolith reaffirms its commitment to innovation and sustainability, offering solutions that redefine new standards in the industry.