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Brussels, Belgium

We refurbished the ‘Alpha Tower’, an office building located near the Brussels-North railway station. The headquarters of the Auxiliary Fund for Payment of Unemployment Benefits received a facelift, taking the original 1960s structure with an aluminum facade and stripping it down to the skeletal fabric. The edifice houses a ticket hall, offices and a restaurant with terrace and green roof.

Urban integration
The office building located in a rather distinct neighborhood was completely worn out. It clearly needed a complete renovation in order to serve as new home to the Auxiliary Fund for Payment of Unemployment Benefits with its public functions and extended staff. Although the skeletal fabric was relatively well kept, the interior of the building was outdated. The renewal of the facade with its striking champagne coating was exactly what the office building needed. It stands out from the adjacent dwellings, yet it contributes to a warm and welcoming atmosphere, one thing the run-down neighborhood will clearly benefit from.

Architectural concept
In order to create a ticketing hall which is warm and welcoming to its visitors, we removed the former structure connecting the front (Brabantstraat) and the back (Plantenstraat) of the ground floor. To cope with the distinct difference in levels, a large spatial continuum was created, housing the waiting area, the ticketing hall and the front and back offices.

Visual permeability is key in the design, given the public functions this office building serves. Visitors can get a glimpse of the activity going on at the first floor, where staff members work in open plan office spaces.

The top floor houses a restaurant with professionally equipped kitchen and a terrace with splendid city view. The materials used are highly sustainable.