Brussels & Antwerp: Transformation, Circular Communities, and Recreational Climate Adaptation
Belgium holds an extraordinary wealth of cultural heritage, from 16th-century monasteries to large industrial complexes — including, for example, Citroën’s former headquarters, now being transformed into a cultural centre and museum. Conversion and restoration are not considered phases here; they are an integrated mindset. Public actors, architecture studios, and civil society organisations work side by side in complex partnerships where material reuse, social sustainability, and respect for the site’s and building’s origins are central.
Key themes in Brussels
From new partnerships to reused building materials
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An architecture studio and a non-profit sociocultural organisation collaborate on transforming a former printing plant into a 4,000 m² creative hub. Reused building materials and user-driven design are the guiding principles.
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Visit a materials factory for reused building components: An architecture practice specialising in transformation established a company in 2016 that cleans, repairs, and resells used doors, windows, floors, stone, sanitary elements, and more. They also advise on the full value chain within the circular economy — from storage and logistics to financial models.
Social sustainability that benefits the surrounding community
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Gain insight into how resident-driven housing projects are developed with a focus on participation, wellbeing, and multifunctional spaces that combine living and working.
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Transformation method: A resident group has preserved an industrial framework and developed 18 apartments, artist studios, and shared spaces that actively include the surrounding neighborhood.
Transformation: Industry to cultural centre, and office building to mixed-use
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Citroën Garage (1923), currently being transformed into KANAL – Centre Pompidou. A major transformation project where the large glass-covered workshop halls have been restored. New volumes are inserted into the industrial structure, and ramps and bridges are preserved. Energy-optimized.
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Heritage to mixed-use on the city's edge: Originally an insurance company from 1917, transformed in the 1960s into an open office environment, and now converted into a co-working space, hotel, gym, and more (five functions in total). Concrete and brick have been beautifully restored.
Duration: approx. 2 days.
Contact us if you are interested in receiving a programme and a tailored offer.
Main tendencies in Antwerp
Climate-adapted areas that protect against up to 1 metre of water rise
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Nieuw Zuid quay area: A new public park with a “best practice” water strategy that integrates stormwater management, rain gardens, wadi systems, and emergency water reserves — addressing both intense rainfall and increasing periods of drought in cities. The value lies in treating public space, urban design, and infrastructure as one interconnected system. Former industrial harbour areas become resilient, livable neighborhoods.
Flexible housing typologies: lower costs, lower CO₂ footprint, and higher adaptability
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Visit to an energy-neutral 60,000 m² development
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Insight into how a consortium is developing a model for standardized sustainable modules for the social housing sector, built in timber/CLT.
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A nearly 400-unit social housing complex has been renovated and expanded.
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Multiple emerging companies develop prefabricated modules to reduce time and material consumption on construction sites.
Practical Information
The programme is composed of project visits, presentations by local professionals, and time for questions. Tailored for practitioners working with renovation/transformation, circular economy, and climate adaptation. The programme runs over 2 – 4 days and can be adapted for both small and large groups.
Contact us to learn more about our programmes in Brussels and Antwerp.
