Royale Belge

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Standing along the edge of the Sonian Forest, the iconic Royale Belge building is a monument to 1960s Belgian corporate architecture. Designed by René Stapels and Pierre Dufau, it consists of a crossshaped tower and a wide two-story podium.

Bovenbouw, Caruso St John and DDS+ are breathing new life into the monofunctional office building after years of neglect. The conversion pairs programmatic diversity with architectural humility and will include offices, coworking, and a hotel, health club and restaurant.

A new circular atrium brings daylight deep into the building and is the beating heart of the transformation. Strategic wall openings connect the monumental entrance hall to adjacent offices and the restaurant. The modifications are anchored to the building’s original character thanks to the careful reuse of materials. The minimal but purposeful interventions and integration of materials demonstrate humility. Reduced to the essentials, the modifications maximise future use.

Text: Fabian De Vriendt

Photos: Stijn Bollaert