“Today, companies are looking for a total solution”

Business property makes up a significant part of GC Architecten's fascinating portfolio. As an experienced architect, Bert has had a front-row seat to developments in the sector: “Business property today is no longer about the efficient, budget-friendly buildings that were built thirty years ago. Work-life balance has become much more important, and that is reflected in the working environment too. Buyers and end users expect a workplace to be more comfortable and homely. That means the quality of the surroundings has to reach a certain level. The look and feel of offices or production spaces can also play a role in attracting new staff. Hexagon is a developer that allows creativity in the design, with the focus on how the building looks and how it is experienced. It is points like these that appeal to buyers as well as city and municipal councils.”

When creating business property today, architecture firms and developers need to show a certain degree of flexibility so that a multi-tenant business building can be adapted to buyers' wishes. A prime example of that evolution is Hexahub in Roeselare: “The size of the site makes it possible to offer modularity, give buyers the chance to add their own touches and aim for a stronger dynamic. The result is a hybrid business campus with a wide variety of uses, from storage spaces to small and large offices, including Hexagon's new office. Today, companies are looking for a total solution. Building partners who offer a modular package are then a real asset. All in all, Hexahub is a great example of what is possible on a contemporary business site.”

Available space for business property is becoming increasingly scarce, a trend that also affects GC Architecten's work: “A design must always be space-efficient, taking into account the requirements of a multi-tenant business building. Like Hexagon, our architecture firm strives for the ideal balance between economically responsible development and optimal use of the available space. The quality of the remaining open space must also be preserved. Today, landscaping has become an integral part of any development plan. That is why the existing pond on the Hexahub site is being upgraded. Elements like these enhance the appeal and homeliness of a business site. Future buyers will also experience that sustainable mindset and be left with a positive feeling.”

To guide development partners and end users towards a successful result, GC Architecten takes a no-nonsense approach: “Our way of working fits well with Hexagon's: listening to the client and creating added value from there. When partners know each other's expectations, it is possible to respond more quickly. As an architecture firm, we have the drive to build, and we find that same drive at Hexagon.”