Modernist architecture revitalised in Brussels

The twelve-storey Florair buildings are impressive testimonies to Belgian post-war modernism. These social housing blocks were built in the early 1960s to a design by Belgian architect Remy van der Looven, and have now been brought into the 21st Century after extensive refurbishments by Atelier Kempe Thill together with Canevas Architectes et Ingenieurs and Greisch engineers, who sought to preserve the original architectural concept.

With the facade renovation, the architects decisively improved the energy performance of the buildings and brought modernism into the 21 Century.
The four buildings integrate into the surroundings in terms of both colour and design.
Around the plinth, glass mosaic has replaced the original natural stone cladding. Some of the original components have been preserved in display cases.
From afar, the buildings look bulky and colossal, from close up they reveal details of bordering lines and multifaceted surfaces in a uniform colour.
The prominent new facade enabled the horizontality of the buildings to be accentuated to a greater extent. Loggia insertions are set in white render.

Stylish new facade, improved energy performance

In the green municipality of Jette, on the outskirts of Brussels, Atelier Kempe Thill has revitalised two iconic ribbon development buildings from the 1960s. In addition to energy-related and technical refurbishment, the architects also focused on maintaining - and improving - the architectural quality of the stock buildings. Three-dimensional modelling of the facades with various material surfaces lend the large structures a depth of detail that is seldom found in social housing.

Successful transformation

By refurbishing the facade, the architects have significantly improved the energy efficiency of the building and translated modernity into the 21st century. In this process the balance between necessary external insulation and respectful treatment of the existing buildings was convincingly achieved.
From a distance, the buildings appear heavy and solid, but up close they reveal details of framing lines and varied surfaces in a uniform color tone.
Before the refurbishment

After the refurbishment
Before

After

Meet the architect

Atelier Kempe Thill

"Demolishing the building and rebuilding it was not an option. I think the main reasons for preservation are, on the one hand, the architecture, the urban integration and, of course, social reasons. It is impossible for large housing associations to find so many replacement apartments for such large projects... It was clear from the beginning of this renovation that the project had to be completed while inhabited."

André Kempe, architect, Atelier Kempe Thill

Video: Transformation of two prototypical residential blocks of post-war modernism in Brussels (08:47)

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[ark] magazine

the StoJournal for Architects

This story appeared in [ark] magazine No. 69. The planning and execution trades are responsible for ensuring compliance with local standards and regulations, as well as realising and warranting of the architectural details and solutions included in this case study.

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