Belgium – Church construction work – Restoration of the Basilica of Our Lady of Basse-Wavre

Opportunity description

The present works concern the restoration of the exterior envelope as well as the interior of the Basilica of Our Lady of Basse-Wavre. The objective of this restoration is to ensure the long-term preservation of the building while retaining its current characteristics and its various archaeological strata. The works also include the rationalization and bringing up to standard of the technical installations so that the Basilica can continue to be used as a place of worship. The contract is divided into two lots: > Lot 1 - Restoration of the exterior and interior envelope: This lot includes the general site setup, roofs, façades, exterior joinery and interior works > Lot 2 - Restoration of the stained-glass windows: This lot includes all interventions specific to the stained-glass windows The Basilica of Our Lady of Basse-Wavre is listed as a Monument pursuant to the Royal Decree of 08/03/1938. Intervention philosophy: The Basilica of Our Lady of Basse-Wavre as we observe it today is the result of modifications and extensions spanning eight consecutive centuries, with a final major transformation in the 18th century, probably carried out by the court architect Guillaume De Bruyne. This final transformation irrevocably changed the morphology of the building in such a way that it is no longer possible to return to an earlier state. The works carried out in the 18th century were marked by a desire to standardize the church, with the aim of achieving greater harmony in the interpretation of the building so that it would be seen as a whole and no longer as the addition of elements from different periods (construction of the south aisle based on the north aisle, west façade designed symmetrically, etc.). The building nevertheless retains in its masonry the subtle traces of its evolution over the centuries, like so many successive strata. Each renovation/transformation added a new layer using the means and style of its period. Our intervention philosophy is based on a desire to preserve these various successive strata as both historical and archaeological evidence of the evolution of the built structure. We will opt for a restoration that respects the materials and the current morphology of the building, with its irregularities and variations. Specific attention will be paid to the old structures, their typology, their characteristics and their identity, in order to propose interventions that enhance them for future generations. More specifically, four criteria frame our restoration and renovation philosophy for the Basilica. These criteria serve as guiding threads for determining the intervention options for the various structures. For each new option to be adopted, we will verify that it follows this philosophy so as to achieve unity in the interventions to be planned. The four criteria for the Basilica of Our Lady of Basse-Wavre are as follows:  The preservation/safeguarding of the building in its current state (no return to an earlier state, no demolitions), preservation of the materials and construction method, safeguarding of the various archaeological strata/layers;  The durability/stability of the proposed interventions through the restoration of the structures according to the current situation and, if necessary, the implementation of specific contemporary protections or improvements with a view to creating optimal conditions for preservation and durability, while respecting the heritage values of the constituent elements;  The optimization of costs by addressing priority issues that may have an impact on the durability/conservation of the structures, but without reconstructing elements that have disappeared or are of purely aesthetic interest;  The guarantee that the building can be used according to its current use and in an optimal manner. The proposal therefore moves toward a “Conservation-restoration” in the sense that we seek to restore the structural and functional properties (of a structure, of the materials) necessary for the lasting/long-term conservation of the building. The restoration of the structural and functional properties of a structure or materials is carried out either by replacement/repair/consolidation or by installing protection. The works notably include: - Provision of scaffolding for the interior and exterior works, with a temporary roof for the roofing and timber-frame works, including the installation of printed and microperforated protective sheeting on the façades - Replacement of all the dilapidated roof covering - Restoration and treatment of the roof frames and floors - Reconstruction of the roof frame of the Marian chapel - Rationalization of the rainwater drainage network - Adaptation of the sewerage network - Cleaning of the façades - Restoration and protection of the façade masonry - Stabilization and sealing of cracks - Restoration of the main exterior joinery - Replacement of the dilapidated secondary exterior joinery and shutters - Replacement of the roof windows - Treatment of the paneling, confessionals, pulpit, choir stall, etc. against wood-boring insects - Cleaning and replacement of broken or missing floor slabs - Partial stripping of finishes, treatment of fungi and restoration of the finishes of the Marian chapel - Repair of the plasterwork and repainting of the interior walls - Restoration of the ceiling structure of the central nave and choir and partial reconstruction of the plasterwork on laths The works notably include: - Restoration of the stained-glass windows, replacement of structural elements - Implementation of an isothermal protection system for the stained-glass windows with integration of exterior laminated glass Procedure: open. Review the original TED notice for the complete requirement, lots, amendments and attachments.