Social housing project Val Maria inaugurated, Neder-Over-Heembeek (BE)

Val Maria, a social housing project located in Neder-Over-Heembeek in the north of the Brussels Region, was officially inaugurated earlier in June 2026. The project stands out through its iconic entrance building, a dynamic composition of clustered volumes, and a pastel green brick façade accented with sand-coloured tones. A circular wooden pavilion and three steel bicycle shelters complete the housing space.

The Val Maria garden city, home to the 46 newly designed dwellings in uniform buildings, is characterised by a public green space and a peaceful suburban atmosphere. Commissioned by the Housing Fund of the Brussels-Capital Region, the project seeks to create a living environment centred on human connection, allowing residents to continue living in familiar surroundings while encouraging encounters and interaction between neighbours in the shared spaces.

The main structure consists of sand-lime brick walls and concrete floor slabs. Given the compact construction, particular attention has been paid to sound insulation. The homes also differ in terms of thermal performance: geothermal heating has been chosen for the apartments and air-source heat pumps for the detached houses. Each dwelling has its own terrace, built on a cantilevered precast concrete slab.

Val Maria is an exemplary housing project where architecture, structure, and sustainability come together to create a future-proof living environment.

Client: Société du Logement de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale/ Brusselse Gewestelijke HuisvestingsMaatschappij – Contractor: Comensia – Architect: LOW Architecten.

Copyright: Johny Umans – Ney & Partners