Originally built for the 1958 Universal Exhibition, the Janson Auditorium—located behind the Student House on ULB’s Solbosch campus—remains one of the university’s most iconic buildings and its largest lecture hall. The Student House, constructed in 1928, has undergone multiple transformations over the years, serving various functions including a reception pavilion, caretaker’s residence, classrooms, offices, and multi-purpose spaces. In 2017, the entire complex was designated a heritage site, notably due to the innovative use of tensioned cables in the auditorium’s construction.

A renovation project, led by the architectural firm TANK, seeks to preserve the listed heritage elements, introduce modern upgrades, and reaffirm the cultural significance of this historic site. The objective is to extend the auditorium’s influence beyond the university community. The project includes the restoration of the auditorium and its cable-supported structure, the renovation of the Student House, and the enhancement of the surrounding outdoor areas.

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel is investigating how repurposing its existing student housing can support more sustainable campus development. Originally designed by Van Der Meeren at the heart of the La Plaine campus, eight student units were built using prefabricated concrete modules, combined with adaptable infill components for both interior and exterior walls. Each 96-square-metre unit—comprising four modules—includes four student rooms, a shared living area and kitchen, and two bathrooms.

In collaboration with VUB’s Transform research team, Kaderstudio is exploring how principles of Reversible Building Design can help avoid demolition waste and reduce the use of virgin materials when adapting these buildings in the future.

We are presented with a station proposal that is firmly oriented towards the future. The national railway company, SNCB, aims to reimagine this station and transform it into an efficient, comfortable, and fully integrated intermodal hub. This is an opportunity for the company to bring together all passenger services within a new, recognisable station typology that will be replicated in other projects across the country. This typology is based on three key components: a canopy, functional units, and essential equipment.

The project, designed by Multiple and Studio Roma, looks beyond the station building itself to envision a multimodal hub at the scale of the surrounding neighbourhood. It incorporates adjacent transport modes, including trams and buses on nearby streets, and introduces a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists with direct access to the platforms. The station thus becomes a true space for meeting and exchange, opening out onto the neighbouring university district.

Once home to the federal police, Usquare is on the verge of a major transformation. Over the coming years, the former barracks will be gradually redeveloped into a lively, sustainable urban district, blending public spaces, local services, university facilities, and housing for both students and families. Spread across nearly 4 hectares, the site features a dense network of around twenty buildings, currently closed off from the surrounding neighbourhood.

The redevelopment plan, led by Anyoji Beltrando, offers a flexible and forward-thinking vision for reshaping 21,000 m² of public space. Central to the project are six clear and inclusive principles: creating a fully bike-friendly environment; reusing existing cobblestones with permeable joints; revealing and integrating the site’s natural water flows; encouraging diverse and abundant vegetation; and ensuring the area remains lively and welcoming even after dark.

The project for the former Royal Gendarmerie School barracks, a joint initiative by the Université Libre de Bruxelles and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, aims to integrate the universities more fully into the city. It seeks to establish a model that unites French-speaking and Dutch-speaking academic institutions, positioning them as key drivers of intellectual thought, innovation, and social progress. This ERDF project aspires to serve as a flagship for the transformation of the former barracks into a vibrant, open, and internationally-oriented neighborhood.

Designed by EVR, BC Architects and Architectes Callebaut, the renovation and entrance staircase create connections to Boulevard Général Jacques and Avenue de la Couronne. The reception buildings feature spacious common areas suitable for conferences, seminars, and public gatherings. Furthermore, the project incorporates materials sourced from the Usquare site, integrating recycled elements into the university’s new infrastructure.

Located at the corner of Avenue de la Couronne and Rue Fritz Toussaint, the Clos des Mariés was originally designed to house married gendarmes and their families. In 2021, the Société du Logement de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale (SLRB), the regional housing company, launched a public tender for its renovation as part of the Usquare site’s transformation. The project aims to restore the Clos des Mariés to its original residential purpose, providing 33 social housing units and a new communal garden.

Designed by Atelier Kempe Thill and Kaderstudio, the renovation preserves 86% of the existing structure while creating dual-aspect housing that meets contemporary requirements for light, ventilation, heating, and energy efficiency. The project respects the protected status of the site, transforming it into a verdant and secluded urban garden.

As the former Ixelles barracks undergo conversion into an international university complex and a new district, the focus has now shifted to upcycling the former Federal Police housing units and unlocking their potential. Drawing on an inventory of reusable materials, the Société du Logement de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale (SLRB), the regional housing company, is committed to renovating this building through a project that champions an exemplary circular economy approach.

Karbon’s design strategy preserves the building’s character by restoring, cleaning, and internally insulating the facades. The exterior window and door frames will be improved without altering the architectural aesthetic, while the corner of General Jacques Avenue and Juliette Wytsman Street will feature an accessible workshop for residents and local community groups.

Located at the border of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) campuses, the Learning & Innovation Center (LIC) is a 9,000 m² building spanning eight floors, designed as a hub for innovation and knowledge exchange. It notably houses the library for exact and applied sciences.

More than just an architectural landmark, the LIC stands as a symbol of the intensive collaboration between the two universities. Its architecture, conceived as a zero-energy building, incorporates environmentally friendly materials and blends harmoniously with the surrounding green landscape.

The center offers a variety of spaces to foster learning and collaboration: individual and group study zones, experimentation centers, project spaces, and exhibition halls. It is also equipped with digital tools providing access to global knowledge resources. The LIC has the capacity to accommodate 1,000 people, including 80% students, 10% academic staff, and 10% external visitors.

Building L, situated on the Solbosch campus of ULB, is currently the site of a significant architectural renovation project. The design, led by the team V+ + Hbaat, demonstrates a considered approach to the building’s original functionalist design.

The new facade extensions, characterized by their clean lines, are intended to enhance internal circulation and create improved connections with the surrounding outdoor areas, including Héger Square and G Square. Existing architectural elements have been thoughtfully integrated into the design.

A visible addition is the photovoltaic canopy, reflecting the university’s focus on energy efficiency. The rooftop is also being redeveloped into an accessible space.

The ongoing interior modifications aim to create updated and functional spaces within Building L. This project represents an evolution of the ULB’s built environment, adapting existing structures for contemporary use.