Europa Nostra Award for the Brussels Gare Maritime
The renovation and redevelopment project of the Brussels Gare Maritime has been awarded the Europa Nostra European Heritage Award. The award is given to the Brussels project considered the best in the field of cultural heritage conservation, among 24 participants from 18 European countries.
This former Tour & Taxis goods station, built in 1907 as a huge glass hall with a metal structure, has been completely renovated 110 years later, in full compliance with sustainable environmental standards with 10,000 photovoltaic panels on the roofs and geodesic heating. The building has been made completely energy neutral and wood has been used as the building material. The jury was impressed by "the high quality of the new architecture which has been added, in both its design and materials."
The former station will become a true "covered city" of the future, which will include work and relaxation areas, restaurants, shops, and the 3,000 square metre indoor garden with Mediterranean plants that bloom with the seasons will not be the least of its assets. Other gardens and a pond are being developed outside.