Volvo Car Ghent is going to play a leading role in Volvo Cars’ electrification strategy. The Ghent plant has started construction of a brand new factory area, where batteries for electric cars will be assembled. This makes Volvo Car Gent the first Volvo factory where batteries for electric Volvo cars will be assembled.

Volvo Car Gent will assemble lithium-ion battery packs for the electric XC40 starting in 2020. This will make the successful SUV the first Volvo model to be equipped with its own assembled batteries. This significant investment by Volvo Cars is an honor for the Ghent plant.

The batteries will be assembled and tested on a new, flexible line at the brand new battery assembly plant. The new factory is 5,000 m2 in size and is adjacent to the final assembly plant. So the finished battery pack is built as close as possible to the final assembly line. An automatic conveyor ensures that there is as little direct contact with the employee as possible when the battery is placed.

signum+ architects, together with Tractebel, was responsible for the complete study of the building, the building techniques and the infrastructure works.

The expansion is 5,000 m2 in size and is compartmentalized with respect to the existing plant. The expansion is connected by two air shafts equipped with fire doors to the existing logistics shelter. The air shafts are also equipped with quick roll gates to maintain overpressure in the assembly hall. For the evacuation of the existing office building on the floor above the assembly hall, an additional stairwell was installed on the north facade. From the first floor, it is possible to escape via a fully compartmentalized landing to the new stairwell on the north facade next to the shafts.

Structurally, the building is constructed according to the volvo standard with concrete columns on the volvo grid, concrete mother beams, IV beams with an underlying steel superstructure.

The floor finish on the concrete slab consists of an epoxy-based antistatic ESD screed. The floor features current-conducting admixtures.

The extension is equipped with a sprinkler system and mechanical smoke and heat extraction system. The entire floor slab was implemented as a containment for collection of firefighting water. In a technical annex adjacent to the assembly hall, all the electrical premises were grouped, the transformers and emergency power.

The air groups are arranged on the roof and provide the assembly hall with a constant overpressure. To achieve this overpressure, special attention was also paid to the airtight design of the building’s outer shell.

The new, long façade on the east side of the battery assembly hall is clearly visible from the main entrance/staff car park/R4 and gives the site a new face. Special attention was thus paid to the appearance and detailing of this new facade.

The externalization of the rhythm of the structure of the buildings in the facade has already been applied in several facade areas on the site and is also applied here to structure the facade. By placing a steel front facade with vertical fins, the facade obtains a certain rhythm. Next to this articulated façade, a closed façade surface is provided on which a Volvo logo will be placed. This duality with a correct mutual relationship creates a balanced facade that radiates a certain tranquility and simplicity.

All elements of the facade are executed in the standard Volvo white in order to achieve uniformity with the rest of the existing buildings and volumes on the site.