If you define the problem correctly, you are very close to discovering the solution. At ANTS, our design process starts with a thorough analysis of the brief, the context and underlying problems for which the project needs to present a solution. This analysis paves the way for our conceptual design which already incorporates many fundamental principles regarding the building’s structure, installations and sustainability.
We create our projects in a 3D digital environment. Autodesk Revit is our main modelling software in which we “build” a replica of your building prior to construction. All elements contain relevant construction data and the models of the different engineering aspects are linked. This approach saves time and money at the construction site and helps to reduce costs.
Mandatory by the law of 20.02.1939, ANTS provides the necessary services to review the construction site. We strive towards the ideal realisation of our clients’ projects and therefore optimise our designs, based on their constructability, construction time and construction costs.
The circular economy is still at an early stage in the Belgian construction sector. ANTS in currently contributing to a PhD at the Antwerp Management School to make circularity measurable. Parallel to these efforts, ANTS incorporates the guidelines of leading research authorities such as BRE and NIBE into its designs. This enables us to develop environmentally friendly projects.
In his 2020 documentary, A life on our planet, Sir David Attenborough shows that during his lifetime, our natural wilderness decreased from 66% to 35% and the amount of carbon in the atmosphere nearly doubled. In order to ensure our quality of life for future generations, he motivates the rewilding of our planet. At ANTS, we share this ideology and try to create room for nature in each project, one way or the other.
ANTS considers the structural challenges of the project from the very start of the project. The insights gathered by studying the structural conditions and predesigning possible structural solutions help to define the character of the building and reduces construction costs.
The ease of construction is considered with every design decision. Knowing which architectural layout provides self-evident structural solutions helps ants to create a building which is easy to build and reduces construction costs.
Our architectural layout and look and feel evolve simultaneously with the engineering of the structural elements. ANTS combines analogue calculations with a digital finite-element-model to gain insights in the structure of the project. These calculations and this model get more detailed in each step of the process and are performed based on the latest formal guidelines and legislation.
At the end of the engineering and design phase, ANTS provides its clients with tender documents of all structural elements. A specific structural building information model assures the calibration with the general architectural model and the model of the building installations.
ANTS has applied expertise in more advanced calculation methodologies needed to design structures capable of resisting seismic activity, high impact loads or other specific load cases. This expertise is needed in more challenging projects like those in the nuclear, pharmaceutical or petrochemical sector.
The way a building stays warm and breathes is part of its architecture. ANTS incorporates the systems for heating, cooling and ventilating the buildings into the project, this in parallel with the conceptual design. The conditions for the air circulation, the heating and cooling loads, amongst others, are calculated by ANTS’ design team.
The performance of the façade of the building preselects possible solutions for the building installations. Therefore, ANTS considers the user comfort and the energy consumption of the building when designing its façade, as well as its composition, material use and aesthetics.
Due to its impact on the architecture of the building, ANTS creates a digital model of the main Mechanical ducting, Electrical wiring and hydraulic Piping. This “MEP-model” is linked with the structural and general architectural model. This enables us to optimise the building’s structure, create balanced and pleasant interiors and reduce construction costs.
Since 01.01.2006, Belgian projects are mandatory to follow the European Guidelines regarding energy consumption. ANTS designs and engineers each project carefully to be in line with the yearly updates of these guidelines. For the formal reporting to the Belgian Government, ANTS works closely together with Niels Vannieuwenborgh of the Dirk De Groof Group CV.
ANTS ensures a proper functional building. Beside the necessary procurement plans, the design team also presents engineering schemes and a process flow diagram which describe how the building functions, how it should be constructed and how it operates.
The Environmental Assessment Methodology of the British Research Establishment (BREEAM) is a leading sustainability indicator for architectural projects. ANTS works as an accredited professional for assessments as well as for design consultancy. The BREEAM principles are applied in all of ants’ projects.
The Belgian courts assign ANTS to advise them on technicalities during lawsuits. Beside the meticulousness of the jobs itself, it provides great insight into the people behind the different stakeholders of a construction project.
A relevant construction project should be managed, as well as designed and engineered. When clients do not have the time or the proper training to deal with benchmarking, planning or financial controlling, amongst others, ANTS can provide the service of project management.
Before working with glass, brick, steel, wood and concrete, ANTS likes to reflect on the landscapes of the projects. Their contexts are sometimes reshaped, creating room for nature or expanding the range of design possibilities. ANTS closely works together with the Botanist Erik De Waele for guidance when reading the initial landscape or choosing the right flora for the project and client.
Acoustical comfort is an important aspect when experiencing an architectural space. The design team of ANTS takes into account the fundamentals of proper acoustical engineering when creating projects. When detailed calculations are in order, ANTS works closely together with Laurens Broeckx form Macobo-Staebo NV.
To make sure our clients fully understand the progress of the projects, ANTS creates design schemes and views of the 3D-replica of the building and its surroundings during the process. More details are added as it moves along. During several stages, ANTS works closely together with Taras Movchan of MOVE MT BV to create life-like visualisations to really capture the character of the design and tune it with the client’s input.
