The new GO! Kiliaan Primary School in Duffel is taking shape. Since the foundation stone was laid earlier this year, construction has progressed significantly. The structural works have now reached their highest point. An important milestone that Democo celebrated together with the school management, pupils and construction partners. And there was a special surprise for the construction team!
Celebrating a construction milestone
Reaching the highest point was the perfect opportunity to reflect on the progress made on site. Together with the school management, pupils and construction partners, the construction team raised the traditional topping-out flag. The pupil council also had something special in store: the pupils had written their own poem and recited it to the construction team. A lovely surprise!
"Reaching the highest point is an important milestone and, above all, a credit to everyone working on this project every day. Thanks to the dedication and teamwork of our construction team, the new school is steadily taking shape. We are now looking ahead to the finishing works, making sure everything is ready to welcome the first pupils."
Gert Paepen, Project Manager at Democo
From topping-out tradition to the Democo Meibos
Our Democo Meibos continues to grow. In partnership with TreebyTree, Democo arranges for a tree to be planted in Madagascar on behalf of the client whenever a construction project reaches its highest point. This greener alternative to the traditional topping-out tree gives each construction milestone a lasting, tangible meaning. In this way, our Democo Meibos continues to grow, tree by tree and project by project.
A green school campus taking shape
The next phase will focus on the finishing works. Designed by HASA architecten, the new campus will bring the nursery and primary schools together in one compact building, surrounded by greenery.
A light-filled atrium, flexible learning spaces and plenty of opportunities for outdoor learning and play are central to the design. The local community will also benefit from a new green meeting place, including a neighbourhood park along Kasteelstraat.
The new school is part of Aurora Scholen, the consortium responsible for designing, building, financing and maintaining the school infrastructure for 30 years. Within the consortium, investors EPICo and Rebel work alongside contractors Democo and Groep Van Roey. The Energy Circle will take responsibility for the technical maintenance of the buildings for 30 years following completion.
The project is being delivered for GO! Basisschool Kiliaan and GO! scholengroep Fluxus, as part of the school construction programme involving AGION and GO! Onderwijs van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap.
With the structural works completed, attention now turns to finishing the campus, ready to welcome its first pupils to their new school in spring 2027.
