Projects

Ventilation, heating & cooling at the retail campus on the former Cora site in Anderlecht

In a retail environment, comfort plays a key role in the customer experience. Customers who feel comfortable tend to stay longer, browse more leisurely and are more likely to return. A pleasant indoor climate, free from disruptive noise and with even air distribution, is therefore an essential part of any retail concept. In Anderlecht, the former Cora hypermarket has been given a new lease of life as a modern retail campus. Prihoda textile ducts were selected for the air conditioning and ventilation systems.

From Cora hypermarket to retail campus

Retailers including TEDi, Extra Shop, Dreamland, Aldi and Delhaize have established a presence there. Where the former hypermarket once consisted of one large retail space, it now comprises dozens of separate zones, each with its own specific requirements. The original design using galvanised steel ducts proved too complex and costly to implement. Equans, responsible for the technical installations on site, therefore asked Prihoda's engineering department to assess the feasibility of textile ducting. Within a month, the project was given the green light.

One integrated system

The project was approached as one integrated system. A central air handling unit both heats and cools the air, distributing it throughout the complex via a network of textile ducts. More than 600 metres of textile ducting are used across the entire site.
Working closely with Equans Wetteren, all system parameters were reviewed and incorporated into the technical design. The system handles an airflow of 95,200 m³/h, with a static pressure of 300 Pa. Duct diameters range from Ø 2,000 mm at the beginning of the system to 400 mm at the smallest supply air outlet.

The temperature difference is ΔT 17 °C in heating mode and ΔT 8 °C in cooling mode. The ducts are finished in dark grey, one of Prihoda's nine standard colours: a discreet and popular choice for retail environments.
Installation was carried out by Prihoda's service department, enabling the Kuurne-based company to offer a complete one-stop-shop solution. Over approximately four days, two installers fitted more than 200 metres of textile ducting in the Delhaize supermarket and the additional logistics area. The Delhaize store in Anderlecht has since been completed and has been open since February 2026.

Customer comfort comes first

In a retail environment, this offers several key benefits:

• Even air distribution: throughout the sales area, at an appropriate air velocity.
• Noise reduction: thanks to a 30 mm layer of rock wool insulation inside the ducts.
• Hygienic operation: condensation cannot form on the polyester surface, preventing mould growth and dripping.
• Discreet appearance: the dark grey colour and semi-circular support rings blend seamlessly into the retail environment.
• Easy maintenance: the ducts can be washed in a conventional washing machine, with cleaning instructions provided on the label of each duct.
• Lightweight construction: significantly less load on ceilings and roof structures compared with galvanised steel ducts, saving both time and money.

A pleasant shopping experience in Anderlecht

With this installation, the stores at the retail campus benefit from an air distribution system that combines comfort and aesthetics. Customers notice exactly what they should: a pleasant indoor climate, without being aware of the technology behind it.
For Prihoda, this project could become Belgium's first large-scale, multi-site renovation project of its kind. Work on the remaining retail units and the other former Cora sites is also ongoing.