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Text description provided by the architects. The Bourse in Brussels has just reopened its doors, exchanging its status as an urban fortress built in the 19th century for that of a genuine public building, given back to the citizen for the next upcoming centuries. In doing so, it envisions a highly accessible, vibrant, and diversified future. The architects of the project are Bureau d’Etudes en Architectures Urbaines, Popoff architectes and Robbrecht en Daem architecten.
The initial request from the international competition was for an ambitious redevelopment of the monument – to improve its accessibility and continuity with the pedestrian zone around the Grand Place – integrating a Belgian beer experience centre and renovating the adjacent archaeological site. The architects responded to this request with a thorough investigation of the natural urban flows around the Bourse, so that the existing architecture could be fluidly connected to the surrounding urban fabric switching from the medieval organic neighbourhood at the east side to neo-classical boulevards at west. The spectacular central hall was therefore transformed into an impressive covered square where temporary stalls and kiosks are set up depending on the programming of events by the managers of the building. Valérie Mannaerts put her artistic stamp on the floor of this public gallery with four oversized organic elements in marbles mosaic, lending a noble character to this new public space.
Following the different construction and transformation phases of the monument crossing the ages, three new entrances were created, carved into the austere bluestone plinth beneath the richly sculpted French stone facades at previously transformed spots. These new recessed entrances are built in architectural concrete in a colour similar to the building’s French stone and are closed at night by elegant brass gates. They allow passers-by to enter the building at the same level as the new stairs and take them on an architectural promenade. This begins on the second floor of the hall and climbs further in an upward spiral to the upper floors, where Belgian Beer World’s bold, interactive exhibition is located (designed by Mather & Co, executed by Agence Clémence Farrell). The grand finale of this promenade is on the roof terrace where a panoramic bar, characterized by an elegant lattice metal canopy, allows breathtaking views of Brussels.
The project includes the archaeological site Bruxella 1238, whose ruins of the 13th century lie under the rue de la Bourse, which from now on will be directly accessible from the Bourse’s basement. The site remains visible from the street through glass oculi that highlight the main elements of the ruins and are shielded by brass lattice finding their inspiration in the typical old ‘baskets’ of the Bourse used for trading operations.
The restoration of the building, made by the archiCAZ office specialized in restoration, highlights both the original parts by Suys from 1873, and the later renovations by Jules Brunfaut in 1893 and by François Malfait in 1930. The restoration of the large 19th-century stained-glass windows allows natural light to fall generously into the hall and enhance the qualities of the monument.
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