Offices Montagne du Parc
Cyrille Weiner

Space flow for the centre of Brussels

Baumschlager Eberle Architekten como Arquitectos

Sustainability in large format

It is simply said our largest building we have completed in Europe. It also shows which means of sustainability can implemented even at the early stage of the architectural competition.

photo_credit Cyrille Weiner
Cyrille Weiner

Old site, new build

BNP Paribas Fortis’ new HQ building was to reposition the bank in planning, design and infrastructure terms as well as finding its place in a disparate neighbourhood and opening up to the city. Other requirements included the careful handling of the ground and resources, energy efficiency and high amenity values.

Sustainable from A to Z. The careful, storey-by-storey demolition of the old building provided valuable resources thanks to material separation and recycling. The huge underground tanking structure was reused in a perfect example of circular economy, while small number of car-parking spaces compared to bicycle stands is further evidence of the building’s environmental credentials.

photo_credit Cyrille Weiner
Cyrille Weiner

Dual-purpose supporting structure

The building’s overall appearance is fashioned by the load-bearing supports that wrap the building in a cloak, mitigating its size. The polychrome effect is achieved by an iridescent green fuchsite granulate sourced through an environmentally optimised transport and processing system. The columns were made using reusable inserts of local wood to avoid the production of hazardous waste and the ribbed roof structures ensure the economical use of materials.

photo_credit Cyrille Weiner
Cyrille Weiner

Montagne du Parc is a highly flexible building. Commissioned as a bank HQ, it lends itself to a range of other uses including health and residential. Arcades, courtyards and a lift connecting the two parts of the city are publicly accessible, though security concerns and current usage mean that the atrium and sky lobby are not. The ground floor, which runs over two levels following the street, offers space for shops, hospitality and public use. In all the architecture brings a strong space flow to the centre of Brussels.

First-class energy efficiency and sustainability

The use of the existing underground space as a seasonal heat accumulator together with a PV array ensures highly efficient operation and an energy balance close to zero. Alongside solar panels, the roof offers a generous 5000m2 of green space: a habitat for bees, birds and a wide variety of plants.

photo_credit Cyrille Weiner
Cyrille Weiner

All in all, the project makes a sustainability statement that both meets the client’s energy, resource consumption and structural demands and sets high aesthetic, social and cultural standards. The result is an architectural gem for bank and city alike, enhancing its neighbourhood and creating an inspiring workplace for 4,100 people on a total ground floor area of 100,000 m².

An international team comprising Baumschlager Eberle Architekten and Belgian architects Styfhals & Partners emerged as winners of the design competition in 2013. They were joined by Jaspers Eyers Architects nv in 2016, before the team was set up to implement the project with Eiffage Benelux as the general contractor.

photo_credit Cyrille Weiner
Cyrille Weiner
Products Behind Projects
Product Spotlight
Noticias
Batlleiroig recovers and improves historic promenade in Reus
25 jul. 2024 Noticias
Batlleiroig recupera y mejora el paseo histórico de Reus

Batlleiroig, estudio barcelonés multidisciplinar de planificación, paisajismo y arquit... Más

Semillas creates educational space in Peru’s central jungle to promote cultural and environmental preservation
25 jul. 2024 Noticias
Semillas crea un espacio educativo en la selva central de Perú para promover la conservación cultural y medioambiental

Fundada en 2014, Semillas es una organización peruana sin ánimo de lucro que desarroll... Más

MVRDV imagines mixed-use Pixel development in Abu Dhabi as an oyster
24 jul. 2024 Noticias
MVRDV imagina la urbanización Pixel de uso mixto en Abu Dhabi como una ostra

El estudio internacional de arquitectura MVRDV ha finalizado Pixel, un proyecto urbanístico d... Más

Atelier L’Abri’s design for minimal wooden pavilion embraces sustainable regeneration and self-sufficiency
23 jul. 2024 Noticias
El diseño del pabellón minimalista de madera del Atelier L'Abri apuesta por la regeneración sostenible y la autosuficiencia

El estudio de arquitectura y construcción Atelier L'Abri, con sede en Montreal, ha terminado... Más

Seattle’s Maritime Innovation Center: A catalyst for the Blue Economy
22 jul. 2024 Noticias
El Centro de Innovación Marítima de Seattle: Un catalizador para la economía azul

El Puerto de Seattle acaba de poner la primera piedra del nuevo Centro de Innovación Mar&iacu... Más

Monumental sculptures appear to embrace and support Fragment Apartments in Prague
22 jul. 2024 Noticias
Esculturas monumentales parecen abrazar y sostener los Apartamentos Fragmento en Praga

El estudio creativo praguense QARTA Architektura ha finalizado la construcción de un complejo... Más

Key recent projects by Baumschlager Eberle Architekten
22 jul. 2024 Noticias
Die wichtigsten aktuellen Projekte von Baumschlager Eberle Architekten

Baumschlager Eberle Architekten es un estudio de arquitectura internacional conocido por su integrac... Más

XISUI Design creates serene woven metal pavilion inspired by bird nest and eggshell structures
19 jul. 2024 Innovaciones
XISUI Design crea un sereno pabellón de metal tejido inspirado en las estructuras de nidos de pájaros y cáscaras de huevo

XISUI Design, con sede en Shanghai, es un estudio multidisciplinar con un equipo de arquitectos, art... Más