TRANSFORMATION
in Brussels & Antwerp
Belgium is rich in cultural heritage, from historic monasteries dating back to the 16th century to large industrial complexes, such as car manufacturer Citroën’s former headquarters, which is being transformed into a cultural centre and museum. Transformation and restoration are established methods here, not temporary phases. Public actors, architectural studios and civil society work side by side in complex partnerships, where material reuse, social sustainability and respect for the roots of the place and the building are central.
KEY THEMES I BRUSSELS
From new partnerships to reused building materials
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An architectural studio and a non-profit sociocultural organisation are working together to develop a 4,000 m² creative hub in a former printing house. Reused building materials and user-driven design are key principles.
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Visit a material factory for reused building materials: In 2016, an architectural studio specialising in transformation established a company that cleans, repairs and resells used doors, windows, flooring, stone and sanitary ware. They also provide consultancy on the entire value chain of this circular economy — from storage and transport to finances and logistics.
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Social sustainability that also benefits the neighbors
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Gain insight into how resident-led housing can be developed with a focus on participation, well-being and multifunctional spaces for both housing and business.
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Transformation method: A group of residents has retained an industrial structure and used it as the basis for developing 18 apartments, artist studios and shared areas that also engage with the surrounding neighbourhood.
Transformation: From industrial site to cultural centre, and from insurance building to mixed-use development
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Citroën Garage, dating from 1923, is being transformed into KANAL – Centre Pompidou. This is a major transformation project in which the large glass-covered workshop halls have been restored. New volumes have been inserted into the industrial structure, while ramps and bridges have been preserved. The building has also been energy-optimised.
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Heritage transformed into mixed-use on the edge of the city: Originally built for an insurance company in 1917, later converted into an open office environment in the 1960s, and now transformed into a co-working space, hotel, fitness facilities and five functions in total. Concrete and brick have been beautifully restored.
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Practical Information
The programme is put together with project visits, presentations by local professionals and time for questions. It is tailored to professionals working with areas such as renovation and transformation, circular economy and climate adaptation.
The programme runs over 2–4 days and can be adapted to both small and large groups.
KEY TRENDS IN ANTWERP
Climate-adapted areas designed to protect against water level rises of up to 1 metre
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Nieuw Zuid quay area: A new public park with a best-practice water management plan, integrating water handling through rain gardens, wadi systems and emergency water reserves to manage both heavy rainfall and increasing periods of urban drought.
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What is the value? It shows how public space, urban design and infrastructure can be considered as one connected whole. Former industrial harbour areas of this kind can be transformed into resilient, liveable urban districts.
KEY TRENDS IN ANTWERP
Flexible housing typologies: lower costs, reduced CO₂ consumption and greater flexibility
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Visit an energy-neutral building complex of 60.000 m².
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Gain insight into how a consortium is working to develop a model for standardised sustainable modules for the social housing sector, using timber/CLT.
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A housing complex of almost 400 social housing units has been renovated and expanded.
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Several new companies are developing prefab modules to reduce time and material consumption on the construction site.