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The Flemish headquarters of insurer Ethias on the Prins-Bisschopssingel in Hasselt has had a striking, futuristic appearance for 40 years. But three years ago, Ethias decided to give the building a new future. After a major and versatile renovation project, the iconic building has been surprising its users once again since December 2023. Moreover, the office design qualifies as a “master” for future Ethias workplace projects. The original design of the building was carried out by architectural firm Jean-Michel Jaspers and John Eyers, now known as Jaspers-Eyers Architects. And the same architectural firm was engaged to take care of the major renovation project “Change Over”, with which Ethias aims to become carbon neutral by 2030. The iconic glass façade was completely renovated with super insulating glass, which not only offers much better thermal insulation, it also improves acoustic comfort. From now on, the heating requires no fossil fuels at all thanks to the use of geothermal energy. And the installation of solar panels will complete the transformation. The building will ultimately meet high-quality and strict technical criteria, equivalent to a “Very Good” certification from BREEAM. Master for new working environment In addition to the climate objectives, the “Change Over” project also included a new working environment for the approximately 500 employees in Hasselt who have divided their working time 70/30 between the office and home since the corona crisis. Employees were closely involved in the preliminary phase to define the needs and expectations, and this input was presented in a mood board. This gave the interior architect basic directions for developing the interior concept. “Natural elements, in combination with tranquil colours such as beige and terra, were used throughout.”, says Carmencita Peeters, Project Manager Design & Build Ethias. The interior concept we developed focused mainly on the layout and did not provide any concrete details for office furniture. “Ethias approached four potential partners.”, explains Carmencita Peeters. “And the competition was actually quite intense. Each of the parties was asked to develop their own interpretation of the concept: an initial proposal that was fully in line with the brief; a second with complete freedom of design, and a third with a rather restrained design approach.” The underlying idea of the competition was not only to determine the layout for the Hasselt head office, but to simultaneously establish a “master” on a larger scale for the Walloon head office in Liège, to accommodate 800 employees, as well as various local projects in the pipeline. Carmencita Peeters: “All the designs and quotations were judged on quality, price and delivery time. In addition, potential suppliers were assessed according to the strict ESG and sustainability criteria in our purchasing policy. We expect our partners to sign a human rights and environment charter, among other things. Pami’s many years of focus on corporate social responsibility, sustainability and circularity, plus the fact they are based locally, certainly contributed to the final selection." New home “We put the total office furnishings package together by combining our own sustainable product range with about 20 trusty partners/suppliers.”, says Astrid Hamblok, Senior Account Manager for Pami. “We have been able to fully exploit our identity as ‘Workspace Designer’. Our flexible production process in Belgium meant we were able to design and produce unique custom furniture for Ethias. The management workplaces are a good example of this.” Based on their circular and sustainability vision, Ethias and Pami chose to recover many workplaces from the former office design and, for example, supplement them with new acoustic panels. This provided a functional upgrade and seamless integration into the design concept. “Using the hybrid office design from the Flemish headquarters, Ethias created various types of workplaces or zones where people can work depending on the task or time. This ranges from workstations with sit-stand functionality to concentration workplaces and meeting and conference zones. The “desk sharing” principle was generalised for the new office. As a result, Ethias was able to reduce the surface area per workplace by 40%.", explains Astrid Hamblok. The opening of the new office was celebrated during a family day at the end of 2023. “After such an intensive process, it was nice to hear so many positive reactions.”, concludes Carmencita Peeters. Source: Eduard Coddé, FM Magazine

Research revealed that the 10,000 m2 office building occupied by Sabam, the Belgian Association of Authors, Composers and Publishers, was too big, too expensive and too old. It no longer met the current needs of a modern authors' association. Therefore, Sabam went in search of new, smaller premises that exuded more warmth, creativity and culture. Brussels gemIt discovered a real gem in the centre of Brussels. The extraordinary original structure dates from 1964, and used to be the headquarters of the political party cdH. Designed by architects René Aerts and Paul Ramon, it immediately stands out due to its remarkable façade. It consists of 228 panels of orange polyester glass, shaped like vintage television screens. Such a building, part of our creative heritage, perfectly embodies the spirit of Sabam and its authors. Moving to a smaller location is a change that has a major impact. With this in mind, Sabam enlisted the services of PROCOS Group to guide it through the process. Original, functional and flexibleIn the new office environment, the focus was on hospitality, openness and hybrid working. The office had to foster a connectedness between employees, as well as Sabam members. To achieve this, PROCOS Group created a cosy, flexible yet functional environment with a diverse range of workplace options. From meeting rooms that promote collaboration to individual workstations allowing staff to concentrate and work independently. Employees now choose their workplace depending on the task at hand, and when they are going to perform it. PROCOS Group and Sabam relied on Pami's expertise for the production and installation of the individual office furniture items. The end result is a modern, stylish working environment with plenty of space for interaction. Pictures: PROCOS Group / Vivec - Katie Verkinderen

Bewel is a sheltered workplace, and with 2,200 employees, one of the largest employers in Limburg. "Our mission is to employ and develop people distanced from the labour market," says Johan Bongaerts, Managing Director. “Our previous office was dated and had poor energy values, which was no longer in line with our company's commitment to sustainability. This created the demand for a new office building.” In the new office building collaboration was the focal point. "We felt it was important that everyone was on board at the start of the project, and that we involved all employees," states Johan. The building is divided into anchor zones North and South. Each anchor zone has its own offices, open and closed cockpits. " We also chose to have a kitchen on both floors because we wanted to encourage interaction between the various departments.", says Filip Boelen, Construction Project Manager. Within the project two values played a prominent role: accessibility and ergonomics. With a selection from our own product range and made-to-measure products, Pami was able to respond to these requirements. Filip Boelen explains, "The open cockpits included in the wish list are wheelchair accessible. The height of all our desks can be adjusted electrically, which, of course, also addresses our ergonomic needs perfectly.” “The collaboration with Pami went very smoothly. Everything was delivered by the set deadline. Any comments we had were always followed up very quickly. I would definitely recommend Pami. It was clear to us that they perfectly understood our needs.”, concludes Filip Boelen.

Telenet approached Pami during the supplier selection process for this challenging project. Several parties were approached, but Pami stood out in their presentation of values, principles and working method. The alignment with Telenet's principles and values was striking. “The fact that Pami is a Belgian company, also affected our decision”, according to Peter Minnen, project manager with Telenet. "Pami offered the best response to Telenet's requirements by actively thinking along with us and designing customised solutions that met our needs. Pami is more than a supplier alone. As a partner, they joined Telenet at the drawing board and worked together to flesh out solutions for their interior, furniture and tailored pieces.” According to Kris Legroe, Employee Services Director with Telenet, the most important function of their office is now that of a meeting place. “Since employees are working from home much more now, the office stimulates the connection between employees and with the Telenet culture. Together with Pami, as a workspace designer, we fleshed out various concepts to support hybrid and agile working. The Telenet offices function as a type of city, where the atrium acts as the central square, comparable to the Grote Markt. This is where people meet and move across various departments.” Each floor was fitted with different types of workspaces, such as brainstorming rooms, creative meeting rooms and one-on-one rooms. In addition, there are traditional desks where people work on their own or make phone calls. To facilitate focus work, Telenet and Pami designed the library. This is where employees are able to work fully focused, for an hour, half a day or even an entire day. The collaboration was very smooth. At the start of the project, there was a lot of sparring between Pami and Telenet about the detailing of the various concepts, but everything was delivered on time and within budget in the end. And to everyone’s satisfaction at that. Not just the project team’s, but all of Telenet employees. The result is very well received and the employees feel completely at home on their bespoke floors. Telenet is ready for the future!”, concludes Kris Legroe.

A gorgeous and contemporary headquarters demands a stylish and functional interior. This is why H.Essers and ILB Architecten called on Pami, a specialist in workspace design for over sixty years. “In consultation with architect Elizabet Iglesias, we tailored a stimulating and motivating work environment including the necessary attention to ‘the new way of working’, said Pami’s Sales & Marketing Director Bart Driessen. “In addition to traditional functional workstations for everyday office tasks, we provided a wide range of other dedicated solutions: flexible workstations, ergonomic sit-stand desks, small and large meeting rooms fitted with the latest technologies for online booking and video conferencing, phone and other smaller ‘booths’ where employees can make a phone call without disturbing their colleagues, informal meeting places, lounges, etc. We used our i.work modules and a.long conference tables, among others. For the soft-seating elements, we relied on high-quality partners such as Vitra, Artifort, Viasit and HAY. Furthermore, we designed special tables based on the architect’s sketches. In short: we went all out to give the interior of H.Essers’ new headquarters the aspired look and feel. We are very pleased with this reference, especially since the project is a perfect example to today’s zeitgeist: firstly, due to both our and H.Essers’ commitment to sustainability. Secondly, due to digitisation and the new way of working which is being implemented at an accelerated rate since the corona crisis. The fact that we also did the interior of H.Essers’ first headquarters in Genk 27 years ago, added extra colour to the story. We are very proud to have been able to pull out all the stops for a satisfied customer who has always been loyal to us since our first successful collaboration in 1994!"

Late 2020, Pami and Cushman & Wakefield won the largest project ever: the interior of the new offices of the GOB / Brussel Fiscaliteit [Brussels Regional Public Service / Brussels Tax Authority] Lode Essers: “We applied for this challenging project mid-2020. When we came out on top of a strict selection procedure, we completed the project at a record pace. Producing, delivering and installing a brand-new office interior for 2,000 civil servants in Iris Tower at Noordstation in Brussels. A 137-metre tall building with 32 floors and 40,000 m2 of office space. Together with our dynamic team and our driven partners, we managed to deliver the project on time and successfully.”

The old Philips site in Hasselt remains lit as ever. Today, the buildings house Corda Campus, a technology campus uniting 250 companies in a unique ecosystem that revolves around knowledge, networking and cross-pollination. Because innovation is intrinsic to technological progress, the Corda INCubator harbours all startups in a single inspiring environment. Pami took care of the entire interior. Brimming with ideas Late 2002, the employees of Philips Hasselt were told that the branch would be closing its doors. A heavy blow for the 1,450 employees who still worked there. But Limburgers aren’t the type to resign so easily. Limburgse Investeringsmaatschappij saw potential in the site and the campus model. In 2013, they renamed the site to Corda Campus, the economic epicentre of Limburg. All it takes is a short stroll around the site to feel the energy. Brimming with new ideas and possibilities, everything looks fashionable and exciting. INCubator for startups Since innovation is an inherent part of the DNA of this campus, a space was reserved for startups from the very beginning: the Corda INCubator. INCubator Lead Marc Beenders: “Our INCubator used to consist of an enclosed space at the centre of the site. Perfect for cross-pollination between startups, but we wanted to connect startups with companies that have outgrown this phase and offer room for co-workers as well. What sets us apart is the sense of community. Most co-working spaces meet the label of an inspiring workspace. But we believe that companies can accelerate each other’s progress when they work together. That is what we want to achieve with our community.” Blank canvas The new accommodation was quickly found in a large, half-empty hall. A blank canvas for office interior designers to unleash their creativity. Still, they received a clear set of requirements. “The specifications were composed after several inspiration sessions with a group of ten startups”, said Beenders. “We wanted to learn what elements should be maintained, where the existing space fell short and how they would organise it themselves. The concept was clearly defined, but the parties we had approached were able to get creative when it came to detailing the total interior of the existing space. We also asked them to integrate as much of the existing furniture as possible.” VR experience Pami outperformed everyone else in the conceptualisation exercise. Beenders: “However, they did not seem to lead the pack on paper. The colours seemed a bit too bleak, for example. But when they had us walk around the new space in VR, everything came together. It all came to life and the colour combinations suddenly felt daring and exciting while still adding the necessary sense of serenity. That presentation is what convinced us in the end.” What gave Beenders a good feeling from the start was the fact that there were no taboos. Each element of the design was up for debate and change. “They had understood that this would be a place for business first and foremost. That our investments would have to end up paying for themselves. I knew right away that we would get there.” Tight organisation Without a doubt, the extremely tight schedule was the greatest challenge. “We had to be ready by December. This meant that Pami only had six weeks to build the place. The relocation was the ultimate test. Almost a hundred companies had to move their operation in a single day. Transparent communication was the key to success. Our startups didn’t have any time to spare. So, it was up to us to organise everything to the finest detail and alleviate any uncertainty. We were able to do that because Pami honoured all of their agreements. We were in continuous consultation with each other. As the main contractor, they ensured that the right subcontractors attended each site meeting. A magnificent feat of organisation.” A homey feeling The result? Beenders summarised: “A remarkable success. The warm materials make everyone feel at home. Everything was placed perfectly. On top of looking great, the space is highly functional. Take the frame series that Pami decided to install. They are a type of acoustic, sound-proof rooms where co-workers can withdraw for a quiet phone call or a small meeting. They are always occupied, proving what a great choice this was.” In the conference rooms, Pami went all out with their technical capabilities, according to Beenders. “They incorporated a light arch into the walls. This completely changes the atmosphere. This type of detail makes all the difference. Another remarkable success is the tailored solution they provided for the pitch room.” Concept & design in co-creation with PRSPCTF, brand architects - specialised in visual translation of your brand identity.

Audit and consulting firm Accenture first moved its 1,150 employees into the Gare Maritime site in Brussels in 2019. They had grown accustomed to working without a permanent office years before and now share 630 workstations on four floors at their new location. Pami furnished the office in collaboration with Colliers International.

At the supermarket, have you ever wondered how six 1.5-litre PET bottles just stick to the plastic handle of the container? To Supertape, this is no surprise! They know exactly what characteristics the combination of a carrier and glue needs to meet in order to support six bottles. Supertape is an international enterprise with over 200 employees in Etten-Leur with sales and production sites in Germany, Poland and France. The company is specialised in developing, producing and selling self-adhesive tape for the (food) industry. Supertape recently built a new production hall in Etten-Leur with an adjacent office and lab. Pami took care of the design and interior of the workspaces and meeting rooms.

New furniture takes well-being to the next level It isn’t easy to replace an iconic building. And yet, Mediahuis did just that for the editorial department of Het Belang van Limburg. The new office building is much better attuned to how things work at today’s editorial offices. With respect for the environment and employees alike. In collaboration with Pami, an interior was created with ergonomics as a top priority. Finding synergy Mediahuis is a joint venture between Corelio and Concentra. The two media companies first found each other in the context of printing newspapers. Corelio in Groot-Bijgaarden was suffering from insufficient capacity and outdated printing machinery. This led to their first collaboration. “The synergy was clear from the start and opened the door to intensify the collaboration as publishers as well”, according to Jos Aerts, Facility Manager. Today, Mediahuis houses four newspaper titles: Het Nieuwsblad, De Standaard, Gazet van Antwerpen and Het Belang van Limburg. In addition to the Belgian market, Mediahuis has now managed to carve out a strong position in the Netherlands (e.g. Telegraaf and NRC Handelsblad) and Ireland (e.g. Irish Independent) as well. The reason for scaling up is clear. “Printed media are losing ground year after year. Single sales are hit the hardest”, said Aerts. “By building a digital newspaper and including it in our subscription formulas, a status quo could be achieved. With a single platform, we are able to build a digital newspaper for various titles. Plus, the shared back-office brings about cost benefits.” Optimal use of space Mediahuis’ different editorial offices are housed at one of the three locations in Belgium. The headquarters are located in an impressive office building at Linkeroever in Antwerp. Then there is a branch in Groot-Bijgaarden (will close next year) and Hasselt. Mediahuis’ Hasselt office is located at Herkenrodesingel where the iconic building of Het Belang van Limburg dominated the skyline for years. “The old building could no longer meet modern requirements when it comes to energy efficiency and user-friendliness”, Aerts explained. “Plus, we no longer needed to house all functions of bygone days there, such as the commercial printer. A renovation would therefore never allow us to optimally use the space available.” This is why it was sold to a real estate developer. A new office building was built for Mediahuis just a few metres down the road. Aerts: “The building had to exude our identity, stimulate collaboration and offer all possible technical gadgets to work as efficiently as possible. With an e-level of E35, the standard for 2022, our concept is certainly future-proof." Three types of workstations A new building, a new interior. Or was a circular interior on the table? “We carefully weighed all the pros and cons. Our existing furniture was already second or even third hand and it was a mishmash of all kinds of materials and colours. Plus, disassembling, moving and reassembling furniture involves costs as well. In the end, the decisive factor was that we wanted to embrace a different way of working”, said Aerts. A concept was created in collaboration with Procos that involved three types of workstations: fixed stations, flexible stations and so-called fly-ins. “We wanted to ensure that people who need to be here every day, such as the accounting department, wouldn’t have to worry about where to take a seat in the morning. The flexible workstations look almost the same apart from their colour accent. These workstations are subject to our clean desk policy and are a perfect option for those who alternate between Antwerp and Hasselt. And then we have tables and chairs for our so-called fly-ins, people who are here just a couple of hours a day.” A wealth of options to create a warm interior Mediahuis issued a tender for office interior suppliers which was won by Pami. They provided the best answer to the specifications drawn up by Procos. “A decision we still wholeheartedly support, because we wanted to give the procurement a regional character to match the presence of Het Belang van Limburg.” Contrary to the corporate look & feel of the headquarters in Antwerp, the interior at the office in Hasselt had to exude warmth. “The only thing missing is a fireplace”, said Aerts with a wink. “Pami offered us a wealth of options to create that sense of warmth. In addition, we are able to offer our employees different atmospheres depending on the type of use. Is it a communal workspace? Intended for meetings? Or to focus on an individual task? Every space received an appropriate interior.” Ergonomics as a decisive element Ergonomics was the key element in the choice of furniture. “We wanted height-adjustable desks to allow our employees to alternate between standing and sitting. The effects of ergonomics take a long time to manifest themselves, but it is very important to Mediahuis that our people have the right infrastructure to improve their well-being.” In that regard, Aerts is very pleased with Pami's input. “Based on their recommendation, we installed sit-stand tables in several conference rooms as well. Our people love it; the dual function is very popular especially at the editorial office.” Pami supplied a total of 723 chairs and 250 desks. The collaboration was very satisfactory. “Our schedule was extremely tight and everyone had to shift up a gear for delivery. This did not inhibit Pami to the slightest. On the contrary. Everything proceeded as agreed”, recounted Aerts with a content look. Using workstations as intended The transition to the new office was well received. Aerts is happy with the result. “The flexibility in terms of workstations and the broad spectrum of atmospheres was met with optimism. The spaces and furniture are all being used as intended. In the past, everyone wanted to work at the Antwerp office. Not anymore. The office has become as busy as it is cosy because everyone wants to conduct their appointments here.” By the way, a piece of the iconic old building was incorporated into the new office. The beloved trees unfortunately had to make way for the new building, but we managed to process them into furniture for the large entry hall. “The new office was made with our employees and the environment in mind as well as with respect for our heritage”, concluded Aerts.

In the summer of 2018, the Hasselt city and OCMW services moved to a new town tall, now colloquially known as ‘t Scheep. The pronounced design by Jasper-Eyers Architects, SAQ Architects, MASS Architects and Michel Janssen literally reflects heritage in pioneering architecture. The contractors called on Pami’s expertise for the design of over 500 workstations and various meeting rooms. The Workspace Designers from Pelt received a comprehensive briefing based on consultation rounds with staff members of the various municipal departments, a participation project with residents of the city and specialist workgroups. As a family-run business, Pami attaches particular importance to personal contact with customers. Preliminary designs and office concepts were therefore always extensively discussed with the contractors and tested against the specifications. Of course, over 50 years of experience in designing, manufacturing and installing made-to-measure office interiors proved an invaluable asset. Close collaboration with all stakeholders resulted in the fact that the new town hall of Hasselt contains barely any or no standard furniture at all. Standard furniture was optimally adjusted to the specific needs and functions of the wide range of different workspaces. This is undoubtedly most visible in the design of the meeting rooms. The design of the conference tables subtly reflects the design language of the space that surrounds it and seamlessly integrates all necessary technology. Form follows function, except tailored to each workspace and the comfort of the users. Each workstation was designed to optimise the well-being of every employee as well as the service experience of each visitor. From touchdown workstations with accompanying stools to sit-stand tables for a dynamic workday. Acoustic panels, light, colour and layout of individual desks or tables for two, four or six people make for pleasant spaces to work in. Every Pami interior project is the result of a close collaboration between our own designers, account managers, customisers, mechanics and finishers. And every Pami furniture piece that leaves the workshops in Pelt on its way to a client is 100% made in Belgium. We are very proud of this collaboration as well as the result!