Architects: Bureau Bouwtechniek, Neutelings Riedijk Architects
Area: 45000 m²
Year: 2020
Photographs: Filip Dujardin © Neutelings Riedijk Architects, Sarah Blee © Neutelings Riedijk Architects, Tim Fisher © Neutelings Riedijk Architects
Manufacturers: HASSLACHER NORICA TIMBER, Jansen
Acoustics: Venac
Architectural Engineering: Bureau Bouwtechniek
Interior Design: Neutelings Riedijk Architects
Landscape Architect: OMGEVING
Products used in this Project: Facade Systems – VISS Basic by Jansen, Doors – Janisol Door by Jansen, Facade Systems – VISS by Jansen
Design Team: Michiel Riedijk, Willem Jan Neutelings, Dieter de Vos, Kenny Tang, Alejandro Mosquera Garcia, Alexey Boev, Anselmo Nižić, Frank Venhorst, Pietro Manara
Civil and Structural Engineering Renovation: Ney & Partners, Ney & Partners
Civil and Structural Engineering New Pavillions: Ney & Partners WOW
Mep, Building Physics: Boydens Engineering, Boydens Engineering
Restoration Architect: Jan de Moffarts with Bureau Bouwtechniek
Artist: Henri Jacobs
Cost Consultant: Bureau Bouwtechniek
Main Contractor: MBG
Wood Contractor: Züblin
Installations Contractor: Cegelec, VMA, NTSA, Van Hoey, IFTech
Project Coordination, Safety Manager, Breeam Assessor: Bopro
Fire Safety: FPC Risk
City: Bruxelles
Country: Belgium
Gare Maritime Workspace, redesigned by Neutelings Riedijk Architects and Bureau Bouwtechniek, has transformed the historic Tour & Taxis railway station in Brussels into a vibrant, mixed-use development. Once Europe’s largest goods station, the Gare Maritime now features a combination of workspaces, shopping areas, and ample public spaces under its impressive steel roofs, creating a unique city district where “it never rains.”
Gare Maritime, once Europe’s largest railway station for goods on the Tour & Taxis site in Brussels, has been transformed into a covered city with a mixed program of workspaces, shopping areas, and plenty of public space for relaxation. Under the impressive steel roofs, Neutelings Riedijk Architects designed the new Gare Maritime as a city district—a city where it never rains.
Dating back to the early 20th century, the building now features twelve wooden pavilions added under the roofs of the side aisles to accommodate the new program. These pavilions create a new structure of boulevards, streets, parks, and squares that naturally follow the urban context and the building’s structure. The central space in the heart of the building remains open for public events, while the green walking boulevards on either side are wide enough to plant ten large gardens.
The new pavilions have been constructed using Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), significantly reducing the amount of cement used. The choice of wood also positively impacted the construction process, as prefabrication and the dry construction method considerably shortened the construction time.
Gare Maritime is entirely energy-neutral and fossil-free. The glass facades on Picardstreet are equipped with solar cells, and 17,000 square meters of solar panels have been installed on the roofs. Extensive sustainability measures have been implemented at all levels, including geothermal energy and rainwater reuse.
This project was commissioned by Extensa and realized in cooperation with Bureau Bouwtechniek, Ney & Partners, Boydens engineering, and OMGEVING. The first phase involved the careful restoration of the existing historic building by Jan de Moffarts Architects, Bureau Bouwtechniek, Ney & Partners, and Boydens.
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Project Location
Address: Rue Picard 11, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
