Encompassing a hotel and casino surrounded by a wooden skeleton-like facade, the SILT building was designed by renowned Architect firms ZJA, OZ, DELVA, and Bureau Bouwtechniek. Visible along the coastline from Oostende to Westende, this landmark project constructed by Furnibo and Democo spans 39,200m².

Accoya glue laminated beams were used for the façade of the casino. When deciding the material for the façade, the designers wanted a material that would stand the test of time while being durable and resistant to harsh environments. Given the coastal location, Accoya was the ideal material for this demanding project. Accoya is durability class 1, tried and tested not to shrink and swell as much as other wood species and also comes with a 50-year above ground warranty.

Main contractor HESS TIMBER, specialist in timber engineering, known for its work on Google’s HQ in King’s Cross, London played a pivotal role in this project. The SILT casino’s impressive structure, measuring 42 metres by 33 metres with a height of 25 metres, is made from 115m³ of glue laminated Accoya. The use of wood and natural materials were instrumental to the project, with manufacturer, Hasslacher Holzbauteile and installer, Arwo Bouw ensuring the factory made components fitted together quickly on site to form the modern façade.

In terms of planning and coordination, it was a challenging project, according to HESS TIMBER: “The installation was challenging because the other works on the casino were already well advanced. Accessibility and free workspace were limited, and completed works had to be protected. The load-bearing capacity of the balconies and allowed free zones was also limited, meaning that the use of heavy machinery in the immediate vicinity of the building was not an option. However, the relatively low weight of the components was an advantage.”

Image rights: Cover image – ©Stefan Steenkiste, image left and below – ©Senne Das/Medialife

• Location: Middelkerke
• Belgium Size: 39,200 m²
• Material: 3,060 m long Accoya wooden beams
• Architects: ZJA, OZ, DELVA and Bureau Bouwtechniek Construction companies: Furnibo and Democo Specialists in wooden constructions: HESS TIMBER
• Manufacture of the parts: Manufactured by HASSLACHER Holzbauteile Installation: Arwo Bouw was involved in the installation

• Construction time: Completion within one year
• Challenges: Complex geometry, limited work space, corrosion resistance near the sea
• Height of the building: 25 meters
• Inspiration: Design is reminiscent of Hafenbolder, used for docking ships
• Number of wooden parts: 1314 components made from 115 m³ of laminated wood
• Corrosion protection: Use of corrosion-resistant stainless steel for connectors

• Image rights: ©Stefan Steenkiste, ©Senne Das/Medialife and ©Democo Group

Accoya wood was the optimal choice for the SILT project because it offers unrivaled longevity and durability, ideal for coastal use. Accoya wood is extremely resistant to salt and moisture, as evidenced by a durability class 1 and a guarantee of up to 50 years for non-ground applications.

The wood is modified using a patented acetylation process that improves its natural properties so that it absorbs less water, shrinks and swells less, and is more resistant to rot and pest infestation.

Additionally, Accoya wood is FSC® and Cradle to Cradle® Gold certified, making it an eco-friendly choice. The entire production process is designed for sustainability and no toxic chemicals are added.

The efficient design was supported by the light weight of the Accoya components, which facilitated transport and installation in the confined site conditions.

Prefabrication of the parts enabled quick and efficient assembly, allowing the project to be completed within a year.

Image rights: Image left – ©Democo Group