Green campus development in the heart of Hasselt

A brand-new campus where architecture, nature and wellbeing reinforce one another.

Green roofs as part of sustainable campus development

University campuses play an important role in the development of healthy and future-proof cities. By integrating green roofs into the design from the outset, they not only create additional space for biodiversity but also provide solutions to urban challenges such as flooding and heat stress. At the Hoebanx campus, the Sedum roof forms a visible part of this sustainable vision. The green roof helps capture rainwater, contributes to cooling during warmer periods and enhances biodiversity across the campus. As a result, the project supports both the city’s climate objectives and a pleasant, healthy environment for students and staff.

An increasing number of studies show that green environments have a positive impact on concentration, wellbeing and stress reduction. Within an intensive educational setting, green roofs can contribute to greater comfort and tranquillity. At the Hoebanx campus, the green roof is a visible element of a learning environment where nature and wellbeing take centre stage.

Related research: ‘Improve your concentration. Look up at a green roof!’

Smart construction with a focus on speed and sustainability

The construction of the campus strongly relied on prefabrication and digital construction methods. Thanks to an integrated 3D construction model, project partners were able to collaborate efficiently and complete the development at a rapid pace. The campus combines innovative construction techniques with sustainable solutions such as geothermal energy, which heats and cools the buildings through boreholes reaching depths of up to 300 metres. Alongside the green roof, the project also includes thermal energy storage and innovative solar panels integrated into the façades. As a result, the campus represents a future-proof educational environment not only architecturally, but also technically.

A campus designed for the future

With a combination of educational facilities, student accommodation and 20 hectares of green and recreational space, the Hoebanx site demonstrates what sustainable campus development can look like when designed with the future in mind. Together with its low-traffic layout and surrounding green and recreational zones, the campus creates a climate-adaptive environment where sustainability is visible on multiple levels. The project serves as a strong example of how architecture, climate adaptation and urban greening can be successfully integrated into modern educational buildings.