In the Rafael de La-Hoz project, the new buildings are expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% and consume 70% less energy than existing offices.
The urban scheme articulates a strong permeable connection from north to south between Rue de la Loi and Rue de Joseph II through a direct permeable route, as well as a public square in the center of the proposal. This allows the mixing of the fabric of the European Union neighborhood of open blocks and independent buildings with the blocks of neighboring closed cities and internal courtyards. This approach, associated with a global mass that creates a variety of scales and typologies along its four edges, forms the basis of the proposed urban integration. The urban approach is based on the following:
A variety of open spaces with various characters on the ground floor.
In the center of the scheme, a public square creates the main civic space that provides access to high-rise office buildings and the Visitor Center. The open square acts not only as a step along the axis between the Parc du Cinquantenaire and the Parc de Bruxelles, but also strategically connects the metro station and nearby bus stops through a "shopping street".
This connection between open public spaces and transportation systems helps to minimize the use of private vehicles while increasing activity along commercial facades, creating a new park plaza that defines the public heart of the complex.
Connectivity and permeability on the site.
The location of an independent tower in the center of the square creates a north-south pedestrian connection, but also provides a new focal point for Rue Philippe le Bon in the north and Rue de Treves and Rue d ́Arlon in the south underlined by two Corridors green on both sides of the main tower. The tower together with the square creates an urban hinge and the physical heart of development.
From the point of view of functionality, security and use of public space, the construction of a single and compact public parking lot, with a single point of entry and exit, in Phase 1 will allow full.
The proposed mass guarantees maximum daylight inside the plot and meets the urban parameters.
The open space to the southeast of the plot provides a visual and functional connection to the "Garden of the Vallée du Maelbeek" and due to its opening to the east, maximizes the penetration of the morning sun inside.
A tall, thin, independent building in the center of the proposal ensures that the retail shopping plaza benefits from the southern sunlight.
The concept of mass creates a timeless character recognizable from the architectural point of view with elegant simplicity and proportions, and taking due account of the existing surrounding fabric.
The intention behind the sequence of several open spaces is that all volumetric elements of phase 1 are recognizable from within and outside the new development. The scale and composition of the buildings respond to the spatial conditions given by their environment for the low and medium level, considering the strategic views and the urban scale mass with the two towers.
The central tower will form an architectural element identifiable from a distance paired with the other tower. Together, the two towers hold the square at ground level while creating a shared view of the historic city and the administrative city. The tower is involved with the square and the public by integrating the Cantilever Visitor Center on the lower levels.
The envelope: ratio of scales, minimizing solar gain.
The general concept of the facade has been promoted by addressing the general scale and magnitude of the development and its relation to the various scales present; The urban landscape, the urban block and the urban landscape. Therefore, the typology of the facade is divided into 3 typologies to address these various scales: the low height, which addresses and responds to the urban landscape and its level is established in relation to the mentioned building.
While each type of facade differs from each other, they share a common approach to detail and materiality where the color and material palette allows individual expression while retaining a general sense of harmony and integrity.
Gardens, terraces, patios and other open spaces are proposed on a variety of levels and promote a diverse integration of green and open areas. These "hanging gardens" form a distinct landscape character that united the whole proposal.
The urban scheme articulates a strong permeable connection from north to south between Rue de la Loi and Rue de Joseph II through a direct permeable route, as well as a public square in the center of the proposal. This allows the mixing of the fabric of the European Union neighborhood of open blocks and independent buildings with the blocks of neighboring closed cities and internal courtyards. This approach, associated with a global mass that creates a variety of scales and typologies along its four edges, forms the basis of the proposed urban integration. The urban approach is based on the following:
A variety of open spaces with various characters on the ground floor.
In the center of the scheme, a public square creates the main civic space that provides access to high-rise office buildings and the Visitor Center. The open square acts not only as a step along the axis between the Parc du Cinquantenaire and the Parc de Bruxelles, but also strategically connects the metro station and nearby bus stops through a "shopping street".
This connection between open public spaces and transportation systems helps to minimize the use of private vehicles while increasing activity along commercial facades, creating a new park plaza that defines the public heart of the complex.
Connectivity and permeability on the site.
The location of an independent tower in the center of the square creates a north-south pedestrian connection, but also provides a new focal point for Rue Philippe le Bon in the north and Rue de Treves and Rue d ́Arlon in the south underlined by two Corridors green on both sides of the main tower. The tower together with the square creates an urban hinge and the physical heart of development.
From the point of view of functionality, security and use of public space, the construction of a single and compact public parking lot, with a single point of entry and exit, in Phase 1 will allow full.
The proposed mass guarantees maximum daylight inside the plot and meets the urban parameters.
The open space to the southeast of the plot provides a visual and functional connection to the "Garden of the Vallée du Maelbeek" and due to its opening to the east, maximizes the penetration of the morning sun inside.
A tall, thin, independent building in the center of the proposal ensures that the retail shopping plaza benefits from the southern sunlight.
The concept of mass creates a timeless character recognizable from the architectural point of view with elegant simplicity and proportions, and taking due account of the existing surrounding fabric.
The intention behind the sequence of several open spaces is that all volumetric elements of phase 1 are recognizable from within and outside the new development. The scale and composition of the buildings respond to the spatial conditions given by their environment for the low and medium level, considering the strategic views and the urban scale mass with the two towers.
The central tower will form an architectural element identifiable from a distance paired with the other tower. Together, the two towers hold the square at ground level while creating a shared view of the historic city and the administrative city. The tower is involved with the square and the public by integrating the Cantilever Visitor Center on the lower levels.
The envelope: ratio of scales, minimizing solar gain.
The general concept of the facade has been promoted by addressing the general scale and magnitude of the development and its relation to the various scales present; The urban landscape, the urban block and the urban landscape. Therefore, the typology of the facade is divided into 3 typologies to address these various scales: the low height, which addresses and responds to the urban landscape and its level is established in relation to the mentioned building.
While each type of facade differs from each other, they share a common approach to detail and materiality where the color and material palette allows individual expression while retaining a general sense of harmony and integrity.
Gardens, terraces, patios and other open spaces are proposed on a variety of levels and promote a diverse integration of green and open areas. These "hanging gardens" form a distinct landscape character that united the whole proposal.
We propose to naturally fold an accessible and multifunctional terrain from Rue Joseph II to Rue-de-la-Loi. The generous steps to sit, the long stairs, the comfortable ramps and the decent slopes of the surface generate a unifying open space for all public and commission accesses, as well as an attractive access to commerce and public transport.
A harmoniously working mixed use development on Rue de la Loi turns the new development into a very well connected new public destination.
The building block deep but open to the southeast integrates in its interior the open and quiet space for the nursery. The scale is lowered to respect the residential neighborhood to the north. It incorporates commercial spaces, restaurants and other leisure facilities at its outer edges, and office space above. This diversity of functions in the East block, derived from the differences in level, activates the southeast part of the main traffic artery.
