A solid foundation for Parmentier

An important milestone is being reached on our site in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre. The berlinerwand, the temporary retaining wall that supports the soil and the neighbouring buildings during excavation, is nearly complete. The anchors have also been fixed. This lays the groundwork for excavating safely and in a controlled manner.

Why are the anchors so important?

As the excavation gets deeper, the pressure of the soil on the wall increases. The anchors absorb these forces. They are fixed diagonally into the ground so that the wall cannot shift or bend. Only once the anchors are in place can excavation safely continue.

Craftsmanship on site

Every technical element, from the steel H-profiles to the precisely placed timber planks, was carefully executed by our skilled craftsmen at CVR nv. You will not see this work once the building is finished, but it forms the basis of a durable structure.

Why is it called a berlinerwand?

A fun fact to finish with: despite its name, the berlinerwand has nothing to do with the infamous Berlin Wall. The technique originated in the 1930s in the German capital, during the construction of its metro tunnels. Almost a century later, the same principles support the ground in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre. Berlin roots, but a Brussels foundation.

Looking to the future: what is the next step?

Now that the Berliner wall, secant wall, and anchoring are behind us, the site is technically ready for the next phase: the deeper excavation works. A total of 7000 tons of soil still needs to be removed. Step by step, we see Parmentier grow from an impressive excavation into a beautiful new residential project in Sint-Pieters-Woluwe.