Gent Waste Brick for DING Wins Gold!
Henry van de Velde Environment Gold Award 25 for the circular facade brick!
Tuesday 21 January 2025, Flanders DC presented the 25th Henry van de Velde Awards at BOZAR. The creators of the circular facade brick Gent Waste Brick for DING were already assured of victory in two categories: Design Research and Environmental. However, they had to wait until last night to find out if they would take home Bronze, Silver, or Gold. The result: Gold in the category Environment and Silver in the category Design Research. Given the many high-quality submissions, this was by no means a certainty.
The research and production process for the circular facade brick was a true team effort by Design Museum Gent, sogent, the architects Carmody Groarke and ATAMA, Local Works Studio, and BC materials. This made for a large delegation in the Henry Le Boeuf Hall at BOZAR, which enthusiastically took to the stage to receive the Henry van de Velde Design Research/Environmental Gold Award 25.
The jury rapport couldn't be clearer: "Rarely does the match between client, challenge, process and outcome feel so right. Based on its thorough research, Gent Waste Brick for DING managed to develop a brick with no firing involved. They have also explained their process meticulously and made it easy to understand so that it can be widely shared with the residents of Ghent. In one move, they have put the Design Research discipline broadly in the spotlight. Leading by example."
What fantastic recognition for Gent Waste Brick for DING! This innovative circular facade brick is a prime example of sustainable design. That this project is awarded gold makes us incredibly proud. It is a brilliant example of how Ghent shapes the future: creatively, sustainably, and with a positive impact on our society. Everyone who contributed to this deserves a big congratulations!
Astrid De Bruycker, alderman for culture, and Joris Vandenbroucke, alderman for Urban Development
Gent Waste Brick for DING is a circular facade brick currently being used for the new museum wing DING of Design Museum Gent. The brick is made from lime, sand, white cement, and 63% raw materials derived from waste streams in Ghent, including crushed concrete and ground construction glass. It is a unique white facade brick with a special texture, produced with a ‘clean’ process that minimizes the use of fossil energy. After extensive research, the design team opted for pressed rather than fired bricks due to their lower CO2 impact. The Gent Waste Brick emits 66% less CO2 than a traditional brick. The production process includes mixing raw materials, pressing, curing, and drying the bricks.
The research for developing this circular facade brick was funded through a generous grant from Vlaanderen Circulair/OVAM and sogent, on behalf of the City of Ghent. Design Museum Gent, sogent, the architects Carmody Groarke and ATAMA, Local Works Studio, and BC materials carried out the research together.
The bricks were produced locally in Ghent last year at Het Arsenaal by BC materials, with the financial support of EFRO. In April and May, the public could witness this production during Do the Right DING. Since last week, the bricklaying has officially started. Those passing through Drabstraat can now admire the facade brick in all its glory.
What seemed like an impossible dream just a few years ago—building a museum facade from waste material streams—has been achieved through the collaboration of all involved partners, with support from the OVAM, Vlaanderen Circulair, EFRO, and the trust of the city of Ghent. This is just one of many sustainable applications in the new DING wing, with which the museum will reopen in 2026. With this, Design Museum Gent takes on a pioneering and awareness-raising role in the pursuit of circular design and construction.
Katrien Laporte, director Design Museum Gent
The Henry van de Velde Awards, organized by Flanders DC, not only highlight and reward Flemish designers, companies, and governments that use design intelligently, but also products, services, and systems that positively impact society, the environment, and the economy. These awards emphasize the important social role of designers and their clients. They set the course for the future and provide intelligent and meaningful solutions to current problems.
The Design Research category rewards meaningful, inspiring, and visionary scenarios and concepts. Environment rewards research, systems, services, and products that address complex environmental issues through a collaborative approach and bring society closer to a solution or better equip it to deal with the issue.
Thanks to the courage and vision of the City of Ghent, Design Museum Gent, and the architect team, we have proven that you can produce a highly local facade brick within the city, using waste streams from Ghent, with far less negative impact than an ordinary facade brick.
Ken De Cooman, CEO BC materials
Firm believers in design, sustainability and circularity can adopt a Gent Waste Brick for DING. Adoption is possible from 10 euros onwards.
