44
EUROPA
bill of quantities and estimate
16
); all of the
detailed calculation notes explaining the data
referenced on the plans; final estimate of the
total cost of the project, calculated item by
item; draft maintenance contracts
17
.
Development of surface areas
Throughout the development of the studies,
the study team and the Building Unit have
worked to optimise the project. It was
possible, without fundamentally amending
the design, to increase the superstructure’s
net surface area by 2,457 m² (+10%),
between the outline and project stages,
whilst the gross surface area only increased
by 1,685 m² (+3%). The use of surface areas
has therefore been optimised. To be noted
that the increase in surface area in the
infrastructure is primarily the result of the
addition of a rainwater collection basin from
the
Résidence Palace
and a section of the
Justus Lipsius
buildings, aimed at supplying
the sanitary facilities in the new building.
Cost estimate development
One of the Council’s requirements, included
in the draft agreement of 25 November 2005
(and subsequently in the agreement of
19 March 2008), was the due respect for
a cost ceiling of 240 million euros (value
1 January 2004) for the whole project, i.e.,
contracting services, studies, works and
miscellaneous expenses.
The following table shows the gradual
development of said cost estimates as the
studies proceeded and it is clear that the
project respected the cost ceiling defined in
the draft agreement. For that matter, as the
adjudications progressed, the estimates from
the study stage were confirmed by the prices
submitted (taking into account indexing
since 1 January 2004).
The cost estimate for the actual (re)
construction works remained more or less
constant during the study stages despite the
ever-increasing detail of said studies and of
further (or more specific) needs that may
have been incorporated (notably to improve
the sustainable development performance).
On the other hand, it was noted that the
result of the adjudications (always brought
back to the cost value as at 1 January 2004)
is significantly lower than estimates made
during the study stages.
The parties involved (Belgian State, Council,
study team) had based their collaboration
on the draft agreement dated 25 November
2005. Taking into account the progress
of the studies, the issue of the planning
permission and environmental permit, as
well as the investments already approved
by the Belgian State in preliminary studies
and work, it was decided in late 2007
to elaborate a final agreement between
Belgian State and Council.
The text of this agreement is primarily based
on that of the draft agreement, whilst being
more specific in certain areas (for example,
the definition of the plot and its constraints,
works acceptance procedure and
guarantees). In addition, the reimbursement
method by the Council of the pre-financing
by the Belgian State, was reviewed, i.e.,
the long lease formula with the option to
buy was replaced by a sale with payments
spread out over time.
Following an initial agreement between
the parties, the final agreement was signed
on 19 March 2008 for the Belgian State by
Messrs. Guy Verhofstadt, prime minister,
Yves Leterme, budget minister and Didier
Reynders, finance minister in charge of
the
Régie des Bâtiments
; for the European
Communities, by Mr Pierre de Boissieu,
deputy secretary-general of the Council.
Johan Burgers
, engineer
Department with respect to compliance
with a number of provisions under the Royal
Decree of 7 July 1994 (and following), laying
down basic standards in terms of fire and
explosion prevention with which the new
buildings had to comply
13
. As this was being
studied, the project was adapted and thus,
the Brussels Institute for the management of
the environment issued the environmental
permit on 11 April 2008; similarly, the
Brussels-Capital Region delivered planning
permission on 9 May 2008.
Establishment of the project and
the invitation to tender stage
During the project stage, which started
in March 2007 after approval of the
preliminary project, the study team had to
complete all the design and dimensioning
studies, and draw up documents in view of
putting the works up for tender. It also had
to include all the studies and comments
made during the permit procedure.
To do so, the study team had to produce the
following documents:
–
For architecture:
final blueprints and
execution details
14
on a scale from 1 to 50
and more, or at least on a scale from
1 to 100 with partial plans on a scale from
1 to 50 and more; for stability: concrete
formwork plans, metallic structure plans,
foundation plans as well as temporary
structure plans ensuring the stability of
the excavation and of the building to be
renovated.
–
For special technologies
: separate files
(plans, layouts and diagrams) per facility,
including: climate control (hot, cold
and ventilation); sanitary facilities and
drainage; heavy-duty electrical circuitry
and lighting; telephony and data transfer;
electromechanics; centralised management
and security; fire protection.
–
For all trades:
technical instructions
from the special terms of reference, based
on the model imposed by the
Régie des
Bâtiments
15
; the bill of quantities for the
works (detailed bill of quantities, summary
FROM RéSIDENCE PALACE TO EUROPA
