multiplicity : 51N4E et labnorth

bruxelles

Le 16ème étage de la WTC1 où les architectes ont emménagé provisoirement en 2018 devient un laboratoire urbain très incitatif et ouvert à tous

Quartier d’affaires créé de toutes pièces dans les années 70, le North District de Bruxelles est aujourd’hui en pleine décroissance. Monofonctionnel, sans cohésion et dénué de services, le quartier nord n’a jamais pu commencer. Parmi les bâtiments inoccupés: la tour WTC1. Très concerné par ce territoire découragé doté pourtant d’un énorme potentiel pour Bruxelles, le collectif Lab North – composé de l’agence d’architecture 51N4E, des associations AWB et Up4North, de l’agence de design VraimentVraiment – décide d’y installer temporairement ses bureaux.
En situation d’immersion, ses membres cherchent à construire un projet de réactivation du North District et à créer un nouveau modèle de développement immobilier. Le 16ème étage de la WTC1 où ils ont emménagé est devenu un laboratoire urbain très incitatif et ouvert.
Peu à peu, les étages se remplissent d’un nouveau public, multi-locataire, qui entre au contact des grandes entreprises déjà établies. Le processus d’hybridation est lancé. Associations, start-up, agences, écoles sont les premiers acteurs de cette mixité en construction…

The 16th floor of the WTC1 where the architects moved temporarily in 2018 become a very inciting urban laboratory open to all

A business district created from scratch in the 1970s, the North District of Brussels is now in full decline. Monofunctional, cohesive and devoid of services, the northern district could never get started. Among the unoccupied buildings: the WTC1 tower. Very concerned by this discouraged territory which nevertheless has enormous potential for Brussels, the Lab North collective – made up of the architectural firm 51N4E, the associations AWB and Up4North, of the
of design Really Really – decides to temporarily set up its offices there.
In a situation of immersion, its members seek to build a project to reactivate the North District and to create a new model of real estate development. The 16th floor of WTC1 where they moved into has become a very inspiring and open urban laboratory.
Gradually, the floors filled with a new audience, multi-tenant, who came into contact with large companies already established. The hybridization process is started. Associations, start-ups, agencies, schools are the main players in this diversity under construction …