A dazzling new landmark has landed on the Belgian coastline, setting the standard in how to design, build and protect cities from rising seas.
Nestled in the dunes of Middelkerke, the stunning SILT complex has been described as looking like a “giant sculpture from the future”. The building is part casino, part hotel, part event space – and all smart.
Covering an area the size of eight football pitches, the SILT is a 1,500sq m multi-use venue including luxury hotel rooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant and even a huge underground car park. But the twist is it is all wrapped in a sleek, futuristic shell inspired by a ship’s bollard, which blends seamlessly into the man-made dunes that shield the town from the sea.
Hidden inside this architectural wonder is a high tech control KNX system powered by B.E.G. – the German lighting controls manufacturer which produces some of the smartest sensors on the market.
The KNX devices work together seamlessly in the SILT complex and off er optimum energy efficiency, convenience and flexibility in the management and automation of functions in the building.
Paul Jones, sales director of UK & Ireland at B.E.G., said: “In a world where energy efficiency and sustainability are paramount, occupancy sensors are no longer a luxury but a necessity. This advanced solution is an important contribution to the SILT project. The use of sensors makes it possible to switch lighting and other technical systems on and off automatically depending on the presence of people, resulting in significant energy savings and lower operating costs.
“By choosing KNX sensors, the project was able to fulfil all requirements in terms of flexibility, reliable detection and simplified installation. The detectors off er an efficient solution for presence-based lighting control.”
One model, the PD11, is just 0.85 mm deep – thinner than a coin – and was seamlessly integrated into the SILT complex. These super-flat detectors cover areas up to nine metres wide and can be fine tuned to respond to light levels, movement, or even party mode.
