The publication Building for Brussels. Architecture and urban transformations in Europe highlights dominant European projects that can inspire urban development in Brussels. Like many other European metropolises, Brussels faces major urban and social challenges in terms of demography, migration, urban economy, mobility and public services.

 

 

 

A trip through European metropolises such as Copenhagen, London, Madrid, Milan, Amsterdam and Zurich collects the positive experiences of 44 innovative urban projects. They transformed neglected areas into dynamic places with a strong economic and cultural appeal, integrate social housing in a smart way, or build tram and metro lines that once again give the city a contemporary urban identity. Both renowned and young design firms (Xaveer De Geyter, EM2N, Grafton Architects, Zaha Hadid, Rem Koolhaas, Lacaton & Vassal, Phalt Architekten, Bernardo Secchi and many others) show how Europe can be an inspiring laboratory for Brussels to develop new, contemporary visions for the city.

 

 

 

Themes: Housing, Mobility, Productive City

Year: 2011

Client: Brussels Capital Region

Partners: Alexandre Chemetoff, Christ & Gantenbein, Xaveer De Geyter, EM2N, FOA, Édouard François, Grafton Architects, Zaha Hadid, KCAP, Rem Koolhaas, Lacaton & Vassal, Jean Nouvel, Phalt Architekten, Bernardo Secchi, Peter Zumthor and many others

Design: Prem Krishnamurthy and Chris Wu, Wkshps, New York

Tags: Brussels, Europe, transformation, urbanism, urban planning, metropolis, housing shortage, public facilities, economy, mobility

 

 

 

 
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WORKROOM

Since 2010, Architecture Workroom Brussels has focused on the future of our living environment. The organisation began as a safe haven to address the link between space and societal transitions, aimed at fostering a futureproof design practice, commissioning and building culture.

It has now become evident that the transformation of our streets, neighbourhoods, and landscapes is both a prerequisite and a lever for achieving societal goals in synergy. Yet we observe that these transformations remain difficult to imagine and implement. They span so many sectors and involve so many actors that responsibility falls on everyone, and therefore, ultimately, on no one.

That is why we make it our mission to create the space that connects them. And with this refined mission comes a new name: WORKROOM, House for transformation. WORKROOM is the shared space where the future of our living environment is not only imagined but also organised.

We are currently taking the lead on three mission-driven transformations:

  • SOCIETAL INCUBATORS - By 2030, stakeholders from the youth, culture, sports, care and education sectors will join forces to create renewed societal spaces that tackle loneliness and counteract the fragmentation and pressure on public infrastructure.
  • FOSSIL-FREE NEIGHBOURHOODS - By 2030, at least ten neighbourhoods will be underway with the transition to fossil-free energy in an inclusive and affordable way, with a view to completely phase-out fossil fuels by 2040.
  • SPONGE LANDSCAPES - By 2030, we will have achieved our water, agriculture and nature goals through a single, coherent approach at catchment area level, in which strong regional coalitions collectively enhance the landscape's sponge capacity.

To make these transformations a reality, WORKROOM works shoulder to shoulder with pioneering designers, local authorities, organisations and businesses, governments, knowledge institutions and impact investors.

Through co-creative design, we imagine shared pathways to the future in exhibitions, publications, innovation programmes and public programmes. These are the workrooms where we connect the actors capable of realising these transformations. From there, we design shared ownership and the organisational, funding and policy models that lead to real change.

The name is simpler. The stakes are higher. WORKROOM is the shared space where we tackle the social and spatial transformations that no one can achieve alone. In an era of polarisation, compartmentalisation and instability, that is perhaps the most radical thing we can do.