New headquarters for Socogetra's 75th anniversary: BESIX promotes co-creation

Since its creation in 1948 by Raymond Calozet in Awenne, Socogetra has experienced steady growth. The Belgian road construction, earthworks and civil engineering company, born in a village house, has become a major player in its sector of activity. In January 2007, BESIX, the Belgian construction leader, became the sole and majority shareholder. Today, Socogetra is a renowned company, with nearly 500 employees and a fleet of modern equipment, carrying out numerous projects both in Belgium and in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

At the dawn of its 75th anniversary, Socogetra undertook to build a new head office for its employees in the WEX zone in Marche-en-Famenne. This building resulting from an urgent need for expansion due to the growth of the company, stands out for its functionality, its configuration conducive to communication, its attention to well-being at work and its durability, recognized by the 'BREEAM Excellent' certification.

This certification is ensured in particular by means of high-performance solar-factor glazing, energy-efficient techniques (heat pump, etc.), supplemented by more than a hundred photovoltaic panels. From energy management to biodiversity, including the recovery of waste during construction, the BREEAM evaluation criteria have been the common thread throughout the project.

The exterior of the building is remarkable for its entirely glazed floor, its base clad in local rubble and its basins, whose water mirror contributes to the integration of the building into its environment. The interior, meanwhile, is spacious and bright thanks to abundant natural light, in particular conveyed by a central patio with trees.

For this project, BESIX group advocated internal co-creation to enhance the know-how present in the company. Several departments of the group were called upon to design this building which is intended to be a showcase of internal skills, in particular for all that is prefabricated concrete, reinforcement and metal framework. The construction work was entrusted to the sister company Wust, while Socogetra carried out the earthworks and landscaping.

Photographer: THEMANS PASCAL | Copyright: THEMANS PASCAL

The commissioning of the building is now effective, after an inauguration ceremony which took place on March 30 in the presence of the Mayor of Marche-en-Famenne André Bouchat and Willy Borsus, Vice-President of Wallonia, Minister of Economy, Foreign Trade, Research and Innovation.

Socogetra, a key group on the regional civil engineering and road construction market, confirms its firm foothold in Wallonia with this new stimulating work environment for its employees, a symbol of past success and commitment to the future.