Vanhout, a BESIX entity, alongside Dethier, is set to construct a circular facility for Bouwcampus in Belgium.  

The project is commissioned by the Province of Limburg and POM Limburg, with construction set to commence in 2025 and completion projected for 2027.  

The 5,500m² building will be distinctive for its use of timber and the Earth, Wind & Fire climate control system, a first for such a structure, the company said. 

The design of the facility is based on a four-storey timber framework supported by two concrete cores.  

The use of wood is a strategic choice, enabling the building to be adaptable for future modifications and promoting the reuse of materials, the company noted. This aligns with circular economy principles, aiming to reduce waste and environmental impact. 

The Earth, Wind & Fire system, which will be implemented in the building, is a natural ventilation concept that relies on the elements to maintain indoor climate conditions.  

This, alongside other sustainable features such as solar panels, is expected to contribute to the building's energy-positive goal. 

BESIX's ComTIS Energy is involved in the development of the heating and cooling systems, while ComTIS Services will be responsible for ongoing maintenance. 

In June 2025, Belgium’s radioactive waste management agency ONDRAF/NIRAS selected the NucleusSafe joint venture (JV) to undertake the civil works for the country’s first near-surface disposal facility for nuclear waste in Dessel. 

According to JV partner BESIX, this project is a critical component of Belgium’s strategy for the safe, long-term storage of “low- and intermediate-level short-lived” radioactive waste. 

Construction of the facility is scheduled to start after the summer and will be executed in phases over the coming decades.