Timber Engineering
Located on the banks of Brussels Canal, the project named “Palais-Usine” is all about creating connections with the neighborhood, revitalizing existing buildings, and bringing a touch of green to the heart of the block, seamlessly integrating it into the city’s green network. On Rue des Palais, the existing building, formerly occupied by a police station, will be undergoing a remarkable reconfiguration to house 60 apartments. On Quai des Usines, the junction of a modernist building (Maison Kessels, 1930) and industrial halls are representative of the neighborhood’s industrial past. Inactive and empty for several years, these buildings will undergo major renovation and host a program of socio-economic activities.
To better suit its new purpose as a residential complex, the concrete structure of the building Palais will be carved out on the garden-facing side to transform it into a series of walkways providing access to the apartments. Each living space will have an associated outdoor area, perfectly aligned with this new circulation scheme. An extension to the length of the building and a timber-framed extension on the roof are also planned to create new living spaces. Furthermore, to enhance the flow within the site and embrace natural light, one of the existing warehouses is being “hollowed out” to create a passageway that grants access to various workshops and connects Quai des Usines with the new garden within the inner block.
Quai des Usines, 2-4 – Rue des Palais, 321-331, Brussels, Belgium
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