Europe’s largest public building for urban food production harvests awards

With a sweeping view of the city of Roeselare, Belgium, centre of the West Flanders fruit and vegetable trade, a 9,500 m2, high-tech rooftop research greenhouse is a prominent feature on the city skyline. Our Infrastructures experts and partners joined forces to bring to life Agrotopia, Europe’s largest public building for urban food production. 

Award-winning project 

The project has received great recognition from the sector. It took the top spot in the Smart Innovation category at the Belgian Construction Awards 2022. The jury was won over by the close collaboration between the various partners and disciplines, as well as the innovative, progressive and extremely versatile nature of the project. Agrotopia was also shortlisted for Best Use of Natural Light at the World Architecture Festival in Lisbon, Portugal, in December 2022. 

 
Productive landscapes for a sustainable future 

As part of the Productive Landscape pilot projects, Flemish Government Architect Inagro appointed Tractebel, META Architectuurbureau, van Bergen Kolpa Architecten, Smiemans and Wageningen UR Glasshouse Horticulture for the construction of a food research and exhibition center in Roeselare. The works started in 2019 and finished in September 2021. 

Tractebel’s design experts were entrusted with the sanitary and plumbing installations, stability, HVAC, electricity including low-voltage and telecommunication installations, elevating devices, fire detection and fire-fighting installations. Our team was also responsible for a sustainable development consultancy mission and the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) mission. 

 
On top of being Europe’s biggest public urban food production building, the innovative design - a transparent sculpture of glass and steel perched on the rooftop of the existing agricultural auction market - is an example for the future of food production. Its intensive use of space and circular use of energy and water set the stage for the sustainable development of greenhouse horticulture. 
 

“This integrated and multidisciplinary project was a real challenge for all parties involved. Collaboration was the key element, and our experts and partners made it reality. The awards are great recognition for everyone involved and Tractebel!” 

 
Youri Groosman, Tractebel Project Manager