UNStudio designs mixed use plaza at le toison d’or in brussels

UNStudio designs mixed use plaza at ‘le toison d’or’ in brussels
image © bloom-images
all images courtesy of UNStudio

at the edge of brussels old city center, between the intersections of riddersstraat and lakenweverstraat along ‘le toison d’or’, a city block is being transformed into a major retail and residential complex designed by UNStudio. the new construction maintains the rhythm of the previously existing edifices with a uniform facade interrupted by tripartite vertical elements. these details double as connectors between the two programs, and allow access to residences at the commercial level. the v-shaped figures also cause the apartments to appear to float above the street, leaving the space beneath the plinth-like transom available for the glass-enclosed department store’s transparent public facade.

leaving room for light, air and shared green space, terraced residences only occupy the site’s edge
image © bloom-images

the 13,000 square meter ground floor will provide a commercial anchor in the community. above, 84 apartments are built around the perimeter of the site, allowing ample light and air for each unit. the terraced units leave a large opening, such that the residents have access to communal outdoor spaces in addition to their own private balconies. a single-story volume incorporating nurseries for up to 78 children, divides the courtyard into two levels connected by a long staircase. beside the green rooves, the project employs several sustainable features such as triple pane glass windows and a biofuel-burning heating system. accommodating transportation needs, 320 parking spaces will be provided in an existing underground garage.

inside ‘le toison d’or’
image © bloom-images

strong verticals recall the previous building facades, while connecting the  residential and retail sectors of the building
image © bloom-images

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project info:

client: TD IMMO invest bvba p/a prowinko
location: brussels, belgium
building surface: 46,000 m²
building site: 5.802 m²
programme: mixed use high end retail, housing and parking
status: planning permissions
architect: UNstudio: ben van berkel, caroline bos, gerard loozekoot with wesley lanckriet and hans kooij, tatjana gorbachewskaja, tina kortmann, jaap-willem kleijwegt, tomas mokry, marie prunault, thomas harms, rene wysk, nanang santoso, philipp meise, patrik noome, todd ebeltoft
consultants:
local architect: m. & j-m. jaspers-j. eyers & partners
structural advisor: abcis – van wetter ingenieurs-conseils
technical advisor: techniplan adviseurs bv.
building physics and BREEAM advisor/consultants: dGmR
visualisation: bloom-images, germany