‘Boring’, ‘banal’, ‘bureaucratic’ — forget the chocolates or the chips and mayo, Brexit (the biggest B-word) has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Brits when it comes to Brussels. It doesn’t help too, that thanks to social media, Belgium has become a butt of architectural jokes – the Instagram page ‘UglyBelgianHouses’ boasts more than 60,000 followers.
The antidote to this PR problem would be to do as other historic European cities do: fall back on its history and play up the splendour of its architectural past, in Brussels’ case, pushing a Gothic, Neo-renaissance and Art Nouveau agenda.
‘The city is encouraging new projects while also celebrating its 20th century architecture’
Brussels does not ignore its undoubtedly rich heritage – that would be a crime – but the city does not rest on historical architectural laurels either. Refreshingly, Brussels is now abuzz with new work, encouraging new projects, while also celebrating its 20th-century architecture (as demonstrated with the Brussels Biennale of Modern Architecture which launched in 2014), and striking an interesting balance between old and new.
A healthy mix of large and small projects are currently under way, comprising work from studios both local and international. Most of this new work is civic, while offices and new housing — none of which run the risk appearing on the aforementioned Instagram page — are also being constructed in the outer reaches of the city.
KANAL – Centre Pompidou, by noAarchitecten, EM2N, and Sergison Bates
The 39,000 sq m structure abounds with double-, triple-, and quadruple-height spaces perfect for showing large-scale artwork as the building is set to host a museum, architecture archive, and auditorium
Going East, by Fosbury & Sons
As an indication to Brussels’ size, it’s only ten minutes by train to Boitsfort, where the city fades into forest and then Flanders. The journey is worth it for there you can find Constantin Brodzki’s 1970 HQ for cement firm CBR
Going East, by Fosbury & Sons
The former HQ has been lovingly restored and fitted out by design studio, Going East
Brussels Fashion and Design Platform, Bureau Vers plus de bien-être (V+) and Rotor, by MAD
Rejecting a brief which called for demolishing the whole existing structure, architecture studio V+ and interior designers Rotor chose to use the former industrial building to create a venue that serves fashion and design professionals in Brussels
Brussels Fashion and Design Platform, Bureau Vers plus de bien-être (V+) and Rotor, by MAD
The industrial building now features spaces to exhibit, teach, work and relax in
Europa (European Council and Council of the EU), by Samyn & Partners
Chances are you’ve seen the likes of May, Merkel, Macron and co. being interviewed on TV here. Dubbed the ‘egg’, the Europa building encases a spherical lantern where European presidents, prime ministers and ministers meet
Europa (European Council and Council of the EU), by Samyn & Partners
The façade uses recycled oak window frames to symbolise diversity and unity, for oak can be found all over Europe
Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, by Stéphane Beel Architects
Confronting a touchy subject, a team of architects, engineers, restorers, landscapers and interior designers have extended and restored the Royal Museum for Central Africa — a building which dates back to 1910
Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, by Stéphane Beel Architects
A glazed visitor centre has been added along with a tunnel that connects the two buildings and houses an auditorium, meeting room and reception
EU Entrance Plaza, by COBE and BRUT
A giant, mirrored, circular canopy will greet visitors to the European Union headquarters in a couple of years. The pavilion from the Danish-Belgian duo draws on the European Parliaments’ hemicycle
EU Entrance Plaza, by COBE and BRUT
With its funnel-shaped roof and staggered steps, the plaza will become a gathering place for visitors, open to the public even when the Parliament is closed
Key West urban development, by Henning Larsen with A2RC
Revitalising the city’s canals, the project aims to link Anderlecht and the city west of the canal, closer to Brussels city centre
Key West urban development, by Henning Larsen with A2RC
Co-housing, rooftop farming and improved water quality (in the canal) will help make waterfront living accessible to more people
Campus Gallait Sitr Schaerbeek, by POLO Architects
The new campus for the Flemish Community Commission (VGC) will host a youth centre along with a secondary school for 680 pupils
Campus Gallait Sitr Schaerbeek, by POLO Architects
It will also feature a ‘teenage school’ for 240 pupils, and a primary school for 220 pupils
Crematorium Siesegem, by KAAN Architecten
Located in the countryside, a 30-minute drive from central Brussels, is the concrete crematorium of Aalst
Crematorium Siesegem, by KAAN Architecten
Measuring 74 m sq, the facility slips away into the greenery of the surrounding park which was designed by landscape architect Erik Dhont
-
Wallpaper* checks in at the refreshed W Hollywood: ‘more polish and less party’The W Hollywood introduces a top-to-bottom reimagining by the Rockwell Group, capturing the genuine warmth and spirit of Southern California
-
Book a table at Row on 5 in London for the dinner party of dreamsRow on 5, located on the storied Savile Row, emerges as a perfectly tailored fit for fans of fine dining
-
How a bijou jewellery salon in Monaco set the jewellery trends for 2025Inside the inaugural edition of Joya, where jewellery is celebrated as miniature works of art
-
Step through Rubenshuis’ new architectural gateway to the world of the Flemish painterArchitects Robbrecht en Daem’s new building at Rubenshuis, Antwerp, frames Rubens’ private universe, weaving a modern library and offices into the master’s historic axis of art and nature
-
Green Ark, a new garden pavilion from modified softwood, is conceived for plant conservationThe Green Ark, set in the heart of Belgium's Meise Botanic Garden, is an ultra-sustainable visitor pavilion by NU Architectuur Atelier
-
Residence Norah is a modernist Belgian villa transformed to its owner’s needsResidence Norah by Glenn Sestig in Belgium’s Deurle transforms an existing gallery space into a flexible private meeting area that perfectly responds to its owner’s requirements
-
Bruges Triennial 2024 takes over the city with contemporary art and architectureBruges Triennial 2024, themed 'Spaces of Possibility', considers sustainability and liveability within cities, looking towards a greener future
-
‘Interior sculptor’ Christophe Gevers’ oeuvre is celebrated in new book‘Christophe Gevers’ is a sleek monograph dedicated to the Belgian's life work as an interior architect, designer, sculptor and inventor, with unseen photography by Jean-Pierre Gabriel
-
A Belgian house in the fields blends subtle minimalism with family lifeHouse in the Fields by Stef Claes is a family retreat in the green Belgian countryside sprinkled with a US modernist architecture twist
-
House P’s linear, leafy composition aims for a ‘sensory architecture’House P by Vandenborre Architecten is a family home conceived as a leafy sanctuary of minimalist elegance in suburban Belgium
-
This 1970s brutalist house in Belgium has a new life as a designer’s home and studio1970s brutalist house Villa Stuyven is now home to creative couple Bram Kerkhofs and Lore Baeyens, providing a concrete-lined backdrop to a life of design and collaboration
