22.090 | Reconstruction, renovation and restoration National Bank of Belgium

The National Bank of Belgium’s operations are currently spread across multiple buildings in the heart of Brussels. They no longer meet the desired operational and energy efficiency standards. The new HQ will enable the National Bank to considerably reduce its occupied surface area from the current 217,000 m2 to about 80,000 m2. At the heart of the renovation plan is removing restrictive elements within the NBB1 block, making way for a spacious courtyard garden on the ground floor adjacent to the former counter hall. Strategic voids are introduced within the structure to enhance vertical relationships and orientation, while the height difference in the block is used to open the basement towards the garden. Some ground-floor areas will also feature double-height ceilings, offering a generous sense of space and an abundance of daylight. While preserving the integrity of the rear facade, a new transparent facade will be added, blurring the boundaries between the interior and exterior