CULTURAL VILLAGE WOLUBILIS
LOCATION / Brussels, Belgium
CLIENT / Local authority of Woluwé-Saint-Lambert
AREA / 20 600 sqm above ground
PROGRAM / Theatre, workshops, offices, retail, and public agora
PROJECT / 2002 - 2006
STATUS / Built 2006
GRAND PRIX DES REGLES D’OR DE L’URBANISME 2008
PRIME PROPERTY AWARD 2008
RICS AWARDS 2009 : Shortlisted
This urban development is located in a highly symbolic site at one of the gateways of the local authority area of Woluwé-Saint-Lambert, in the city of Brussels. The appeal and the importance of this district for the urban development of this area of Brussels led to the dilapidated sheds housing the cultural activities of the Ateliers du Temps Libre being replaced by a housing complex neighbouring the cultural village of Wolubilis. The project gives birth to a new cultural focal point, around a semicircular organic public space, sheltered from urban traffic. The bright complex of Wolubilis consists of 10 softly curved and articulated volumes with unified architecture, in stone and white rendering, of which comprise a new 493-seat theatre and various adjacent buildings containing artists' workshops, homes, restaurants and shops with a cultural focus, an exhibition room, several offices and an underground car park. ‘Les Marquises’ meets all modern lifestyle aspirations. The six adjacent buildings contain a total of 81 apartments, each with a large, favourably oriented terrace. It offers the residents many facilities in terms of accessibility, services, leisure and mobility, with access to the Brussels Metro. Vibrant and active intensity is ensured on this joyful site thanks to the mix of functions. This is a main focus for A2RC’s practice – to contribute to create ‘Happy Places to Be’ in the City.