Project description
The former stables of the Hollandia dairy are being converted into a multidisciplinary primary-care medical practice in Laeken. Within this industrial heritage building, lightweight and flexible “pockets” are inserted to accommodate GP consulting rooms, paramedical spaces, shared areas and a multi-purpose room. A full-length internal street structures the layout, preserves the historic character and extends the pavement indoors—open to exhibitions, neighbourhood activities and chance encounters. A centrally located shared kitchen supports informal exchange between healthcare professionals. Multi-purpose spaces are made available for local initiatives around health, integration and living together. Two courtyards bring daylight and greenery. Reused materials and reversible interventions make circularity a core design principle.
Collaboration with ecobuild.brussels members
For this project, two members of the ecobuild.brussels cluster were involved. Through Rotor DC, reclaimed materials were sourced, including interior doors for the consulting rooms, furniture, bricks for the ramps within the brick floor, and door handles. The clay plaster used to finish the walls of the internal street was supplied by BC Materials. These choices align with the project’s wider design strategy, in which circularity and reduced environmental impact guided all material decisions.
Project data
| Location | Laeken (Brussels) |
| Client | De Tandem general practice |
| Area | 638 m² |
| Status | Completed |
| Period | 2019–2024 |
| Architect | office—u architects |
| Structural engineering | L.A.B.E.A.U. |
| EPB | Struktuur |
| Fire safety | Struktuur |
| Photo credits | photos 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9: Tim Van de Velde photo 6: Stijn Bollaert photo 1: office—u architects |
