Transformation monumental church Notre Dame-de-Lourdes in Bressoux (BE)

The former church Notre Dame-de-Lourdes in Bressoux, near Liège, is currently undergoing an impressive transformation. Where this monumental building once served as a place of gathering and reflection, it is now receiving a new, heartwarming purpose: a shelter for women in vulnerable situations. A unique transformation project where the past and future meet.

For a challenge of this magnitude, an innovative approach was essential. The choice fell on a progressive “box-in-box” system. In this setup, the church only serves as a protective outer shell against the elements, while the interior can fully focus on modern living comfort and high-quality facilities.

Traditional construction techniques proved to be no option: too heavy, too cumbersome, and moreover impossible due to the limited logistical conditions — without a construction crane and without space for passage. Nevertheless, the main contractor SOCATRA from Brussels found the perfect solution with our partner MODUHOME from Tournai. As an absolute specialist in light steel framing, they once again demonstrated their expertise. The result: a light, flexible, and fully customized system that was assembled on-site like a Meccano building kit at record speed. The construction system of the future.

The load-bearing floors also required a thoughtful solution. For this, the LEWIS Metal Deck from REPPEL Specialist Building Solutions were used. This allowed the high demands in terms of acoustics and fire safety to be effortlessly met. All LEWIS floors are carefully decoupled from the load-bearing structure with LEWIS CDM MTA 15/7 rubber granulate strips. For the required fire resistance, a combination of LEWIS Metal Decking and lowered ceilings was chosen, in accordance with a specific site license from the CSTB.

In total, more than 1,000 m² of LEWIS Metal Deck will be supplied. A realization of which we are particularly proud. Proud, because we have once again proven to provide innovative and sustainable solutions. And proud, because we are contributing to a project with a clear social purpose.