Renovation of the Exhibition centre of Charleroi

An emblematic building in the lower town of Charleroi, the project involves a thorough renovation of the existing 1950s building. The building houses 3 exhibition halls with a total surface area of around 55,000 m². The two volumes are separated by a central area that provides vertical and horizontal circulation and access to the different areas.

The work mainly involves:

• firstly, modernising the gigantic halls. Half of the surface area will remain unchanged and will be used for exhibitions, while the other half will be transformed into a covered car park;
• secondly, transforming the central area into a secure semi-outdoor garden. This gap forms a «green window» to the city.

At the heart of the infrastructures, the exhibition centre includes the «La Géode» building and its annexes, mainly used for organising seminars and conferences.

The centralised heat production unit, serving several buildings in the city of Charleroi, is located in the Charleroi Exhibition Centre.

Except for Hall 1, these spaces are heated and ventilated by a system of high-induction perforated ducts (air heating specially designed for high spaces).

The free programmable control system ensures that all the installations operate perfectly and communicates with the centralised energy production unit.

The halls are all equipped with a heat and smoke evacuation system, controlled by the fire detection system.

Some of the roof water is collected in a rainwater tank and reused mainly for watering the semi-outdoor garden.

The high-voltage cabin and all the existing electrical installations will be brought into compliance with the RGIE (“Règlement général sur les installations électriques”).

The electrical switchboards are being replaced to supply the new exhibition halls with power sockets adapted to different stand configurations.

All lighting equipment is being replaced by LED lighting equipment, for both artificial and emergency lighting.

A WiFi network has been installed to cover the entire building.

A fire detection system protects the entire building. The latest-generation beam detectors are used in the exhibition halls.