Begins Construction on the Largest Passive Office Building in Brussels

The building is expected to transform the area into “a new high-quality green urban district with mixed functions”

A project by Neutelings Riedijk Architects

#Design

img.0 Courtesy of Neutelings Riedijk Architects

Neutelings Riedijk Architects has begun construction on the Herman Teirlinck Building, which, when complete, will be the largest passive office building in Belgium, serving as a mixed-use center for the Flemish government.

The 66,500 square-meter building, located in Brussels, will be built along the canal on the site of Tour & Taxis, one of the last large-scale development locations in the heart of the city, in hopes that it will transform the area into “a new high-quality green urban district with mixed functions.”

img.1 Courtesy of Neutelings Riedijk Architects

The project’s design is centered on its covered internal street, which spans the entire length of the building and connects to exhibition spaces, restaurants, reception rooms, auditoriums, and underground parking. Above this street, offices are built around four internal, transparent courtyards filled with sustainable vegetation, whereby an abundance of natural light can filter indoors.

img.2 Courtesy of Neutelings Riedijk Architects

"It was a great challenge to design an inviting and open office building instead of another glass palace. To achieve this we designed not one large block but a hybrid building with a public inner covered street and four wintergardens," said Willem Jan Neutelings.

img.3 Courtesy of Neutelings Riedijk Architects

With this “hybrid” construction, the building is deliberately composed of six layers, creating a sustainable low-rise with large floor areas on a human scale.

The project is set to be completed by mid 2017.

Architects: Neutelings Riedijk Architects, Conix RDBM Architectural Engineering: Bureau Bouwtechniek Project Management: Dieter De Vos Architecten Structural Engineering: Ney+Parteners Building Physics: Studiebureau Boydens Building Services: Studiebureau Boydens Acoustics: Scala Consultants Fire Safety: Arcadis Safety Coordination: Probam Area: 66500.0 sqm Project Year: 2017 Photographs: Courtesy of Neutelings Riedijk Architects