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