Flemish Innovation Centre for Bio-based Building
The construction industry is transforming, and our buildings are not staying behind. In 2026, therefore, we will no longer speak of the Infocentrum, but of VONK.
It's going to spark
With the renovation of the Infocentrum to VONK, we are transforming an iconic building at Kamp C into the central hotspot of the site. Indeed, the building will become the beating heart of a transforming construction sector: the Flemish Innovation Centre for Bio-based Building, a place where sustainability and innovation can be experienced.
Indeed, bio-based materials really come to life in the building. These innovative materials not only form the basis of the renovation itself, but also play a central role in the perception and experience of visitors. VONK will act as a dynamic platform, where circular building principles are not only applied, but also actively demonstrated and felt.
Functions
VONK will be the place where different actors come together to test and demonstrate innovative products and services. We stimulate players from the entire sustainable (construction) sector to let their idea, at that moment still a spark, grow into a real fire that will help guide the future of the sector. The building will serve as an incubator for new ideas and a source of inspiration for anyone wishing to immerse themselves in the world of bio-based and circular construction.
In addition, visitors to VONK will be warmly welcomed into an attractive and immersive environment with catering facilities, where conviviality and inspiration come together. Here you can network in a relaxed atmosphere, exchange ideas and be part of a thriving community of professionals from the sustainable construction sector. The building provides the ideal setting for organising and attending events, where knowledge sharing is central.
In short: VONK promises to become a meeting place where circular and bio-based building principles are not only presented, but also really experienced. It is an invitation to build a sustainable future together.
The renovation: Flemish Innovation Centre for Bio-based Building
Kamp C has been bringing the building chain together for 20 years. With the organisation of consultancy programmes, training courses, guided tours, the realisation of the circular office building 't Centrum and the installation The Exploded View Beyond Building (2023), Kamp C has driven the transition to sustainable building in recent years. As a result, we have become a pole of attraction for innovative building actors from all over Flanders.
The Exploded View Beyond Building featured more than 100 bio-based materials and is a unique combination of stories, materials, methods and research. More than 1,500 visitors were given a guided tour of this temporary pavilion. This success shows that there is much more potential in our fields, while at the same time there is a growing awareness that the supply of ecological alternatives to classic building materials is still very limited.
This ERDF project focuses on the development of a Flemish Innovation Centre for Bio-based Building Materials, with an emphasis on the co-creation of bio-based building materials between companies from the construction and agricultural sectors, as well as knowledge institutions. During the renovation of the building, there will be a strong focus on reusing materials and techniques, and the renovation will be circular in nature.
The innovation centre, thus named VONK, will support start-up and innovative companies through an incubator operation by connecting them to investors and subsidy channels, facilitating networking opportunities, offering training and advice, and creating a test environment. Here, companies connect with research institutions and researchers are encouraged to valorise their results. The entire Camp C site offers an environment focused on sustainable demonstrations by the companies and researchers. This ecosystem and accompanying cluster organisation helps start-ups and innovative companies to develop, scale up and accelerate their ideas around bio-based building materials to market.
At the same time, this project is also pushing for a transformation in agriculture - a sector in crisis. Due to climate change, they are increasingly experiencing drought and there is growing awareness of over-fertilisation and pollution. Organic waste streams and certain crops can serve as raw materials for building materials, where these crops can often be grown in flood-prone or wet areas, or are just more drought-resistant.
Construction companies and companies in the manufacturing industry are also increasingly feeling the need to make their operations more sustainable and make the switch to a positive impact on the environment and climate. In Flanders today, there is still a location where the entire development chain of bio-based building materials comes together and where innovation around the theme can take place. The innovation centre will take up this substantive role for Flanders, while increasing innovation capacity specifically for the Kempen region. The innovation centre focuses on accelerating innovation, bringing new products to the market and expanding the innovation ecosystem. This will not only reduce CO2 emissions, but also reduce our dependence on finite resources and raw materials.
In autumn 2024, a design team will be appointed for the renovation of the building, in spring 2025 realisation will start in earnest and in summer 2026 we will give the go-ahead for operation in VONK.
ERDF Flanders
This project receives support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the amount of €369,000.07. In addition, Kamp C receives funding of 92,250.05 euros from the Fund for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
The 'Flemish Innovation Centre for Bio-based Building' project will run from 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2026.
