AG Campus, an example of modern renovation

In the aftermath of the confinement period, when all the talk everywhere was of reducing office space and telecommuting, AG Insurance went against the tide, as it were, by inaugurating a 4,800 m2 space on the first floor of its head office in March 2022. A virtuous example of modern, sustainable, airy, green and bright renovation in the heart of Brussels, initiated by the evr-architecten office and carried out by the Socatra construction and renovation company in association with Janssen Enterprises. Of course, this doesn't mean that AG hasn't adapted to new working habits. Quite the opposite, in fact: the premises benefit from the latest technological advances and allow all kinds of connections. "The well-being of our staff is one of our priorities," stresses spokeswoman Laurence Gijs, "and we are looking for the best balance between office and teleworking, as nothing can replace direct human contact. The environment has been redesigned to provide our employees with an ideal experience when they are on site, so that they can bump into each other, chat, talk to their manager during a brain storming session, but also train in new working methods and develop continuously. We want to recruit the best young talent and help them position themselves better in a market that's always on the move, thanks to a central and attractive place for learning and exchange". All the more useful and valuable in that, over the last three years, AG Insurance has hired around 700 people - a huge number!

In addition to offices, meeting and training rooms, and open spaces, the Campus boasts a 400-seat auditorium that can be divided into two for events and conferences. Made available by AG Real Estate, the insurance company's real estate arm and invaluable supporter of the LOBBY Awards, it was the perfect setting to host an evening honoring our Leaders of the Year under the patronage of Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. The design of the AG Campus reflects the values we regularly promote in our magazine: contacts, exchanges and celebrations. Even before it was built, it was awarded the "BE.Exemplary" label, which recognizes cutting-edge sustainable development projects in the Brussels-Capital region. The circular economy is central to the renovation. "We went to great lengths to recover materials from the old building - woodwork, marble and tiles - which were given a new life, a new dynamic and sometimes a new function," explains Alexandre De Cesco, CEO of Socatra. "We called on Rotor DC, a Brussels-based company specializing in the re-use of construction materials, in particular modular and removable partitions that enable us to modify the available space without affecting the structure of the building. We're very proud of the fact that several of our projects have won awards and been subsidized by the Region. Right down to the carpet, made from recycled clothing, the world's first certified anti-allergenic carpet. The site is CO2-neutral, patios have been created, the garden has been redesigned, solar panels have been installed, rainwater is collected in a 72,000-liter tank and a green roof has been designed, providing natural insulation for both temperature and noise. A green island on the rue du Pont Neuf, where it should be pleasant to work.

A look back at the LOBBY AWARDS 2022 event held on January 24 at the Campus AGM...

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