27: belgium - julien de smedt

julien de smedt with the 27 project team in brussels, belgium
all images courtesy LAN architecture
image © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi


for the fourth instalment of '27: a journey through contemporary architecture in europe', paris-based studio
LAN architecture (benoit jallon, umberto napolitano), FATCAT films and french graphic designers
undo-redo makes a stop in brussels, belgium for a visit with julien de smedt, founding architect of
world-renowned practice JDS architects. the ambitious project samples and collectively illustrates
the ever-evolving state of contemporary architecture in europe, highlighting important and relevant works
as well as the ideas of those who are shaping the built environment of tomorrow.

to read designboom's exclusive coverage on the project as well as previously featured countries, click here.

27 BELGIUM Julien from FatCat Films on Vimeo.

historically recognized as a diplomatic city, brussels' repertoire of built architecture has decidedly been
driven by politics rather than by an artistic force with a long term vision. much of the architectural heritage
has been destroyed during the 60s and 70s for more profitable high-density buildings, while a movement of
facadist reconstruction - the preservation of facades and exterior representation - has resulted in negligence
of the interior environment. at a larger scale, brussels has never had an 'architect of the city' to explore and
propose a clear and integrated urbanistic design in its operations and development. the result is a global
and multicultural city that lacks an individual identity of its own.

'architecture isn't something that is done by architects. it needs a project of society, and a willingness,
but I think that this willingness to develop the city, to work on the urban fabric, in brussels and other cities,
is not always shared,' says julien de smedt. 'potentials come from the fact that the city (brussels) has
never been drawn, and there remains a lot to do.'



'P.NT2' by BOB 361 in brussels
image © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi



(left) courtyard
(right) roof level
images © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi


another factor that needs to be considered when investigating the future of the city is the cultural hybridity
present in brussel's social make-up. this division, de smedt believes, should be addressed and felt in
the architecture by changing the city not only spatially but socially; for communities to reappropriate
the city as a whole rather than a sum of parts.



street view of 'cheval noir' by i'escaut architects
to read designboom's coverage of the project, click here
image © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi



views of bridging catwalks
images © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi



exterior staircase
image © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi


recognizing the global movement towards greener and more sustainable structures, JDS is re-evaluating
the approach taken with architecture that addresses the building's lifecycle rather than constructing to meet
the immediate need. 'we are moving towards an environmental revolution now and it has a new architectural
expression; it puts the profession of the architect on completely new foundations and we have not
quite defined a response to this situation.'



'the elishout school of cooking' by de geyter architects in anderlecht (under construction)
(left) exterior view
(right) perforated shaft
images © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi



interior view
image © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi


for JDS, the lack of discourse and debate on architecture in belgium manifests as a wide disconnect in
the process. the practice seeks to create built environments that are capable of 'urban activation' by
maintaining a certain transparency to their work through legible diagrams as well as outlets found in
web media such as blogs and facebook.



'MAS' by neutelings riedjik in antwerp
image © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi



(left) in context
(right) approach
images © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi



interior view
image © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi



'the lamote centre' by 51N4£ architects in mechelen
image © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi



image © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi



dinner with julien de smedt at his brussels apartment
image © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi



image © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi



image © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi



at the brussels office of JDS architects
image © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi



image © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi



day 2 at 'the elishout school of cooking'
image © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi



julient de smedt and one half of LAN architecture, umberto napolitano
image © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi



behind the scenes
image © LAN architecture, nicola aguzzi

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for more behind the scenes shots of the team's stop in brussels or
a look at previously visited european countries, click through to 27's website.