Skylights and Roof Lights in Bank van de Arbeid | Deforche Construction Group

The roof light system from Forzon, a group company associated with Deforche Construction Group, was installed in the Bank van de Arbeid building. The historic renovation was commissioned by the Ghent City Development Company, Sogent. The result is an enclosed, naturally lit street while maintaining the original wooden structures and configuration. The domes are fitted with double-glazed units which allow the light to filter through making the artwork in the revived stained glass windows fully visible.

The air between the glass roof and the plenum acts as insulation. Air naturally has low thermal conductivity, which means it slows down the transfer of heat. As the glass roof is well-sealed it serves as an effective insulating layer, reducing heat loss in winter and limiting heat transfer in summer.

The structure was integrated into the existing building. Due to its heavier materiality, it required careful consideration of structural integrity. Another challenge faced by Forzon was to ensure total water tightness in order to protect the historic structure.

Project Details