Boerentoren

Built on the occasion of the 1930 World's Fair, the Boerentoren was one of the tallest skyscrapers of its time in Europe at 97 meters high. Originally a bank building, the tower is now being converted into a cultural center and residential building. Aiming to revitalize the architecture and strengthen its identity, the design finds a contemporary interpretation of the existing and "lost" historical elements, thus being both a reminiscence of the past and a transformation into modernity. The design takes advantage of the flexibility and sustainability of the existing structure to create a vibrant and unique place where people can meet and share ideas. The filigree building crown references the original design by Jan Vanhoenacker. Wrapped in a light brass curtain, the crown makes the Boerentoren shine like a lighthouse at night. The public spaces inside are connected by internal streets and squares with a variety of functions, as in a small town within the city. With a similar polygonal structure, noble materials and a language reduced to a few details, the Art Deco style is transformed into an abstract, futuristic form.