SAMYN and PARTNERS completes the latest EU council headquarters in brussels

architectural practice philippe SAMYN and PARTNERS reveals the final design of the EUROPA building in brussels, the newest EU council headquarters. as a consequence of the 2004 european enlargement, the justus lipsius building has become too small for the council of the european union (hereafter named the council). according to the treaty of nice adopted in 2001, all sessions should be held in brussels to generate new real estate needs. as a response, the belgian state proposed block A from the ‘residence palace’ complex as the future seat of both councils. in other words, the building needed to be reorganized to fit the european council’s quarterly and bi-weekly sessions — among others. it must also include rooms for the presidency and other leaders, member states delegates and the general secretary of council, as well as international press representatives. 

the europa building, view from the berlaymont 
image (above) © quentin olbrechts, SAMYN and PATNERS
image (main) © european union

in this perspective, the council has launched in august 2004 a european architecture and project competition. in january 2005, 25 teams of designers in cooperation with the belgian buildings agency have been chosen. on september 2nd 2005, the team composed of philippe SAMYN and PARTNERS architects & engineers (leading), with studio valle progettazioni architects and buro happold engineers is successfully selected as a designated laureate to complete the project as a lantern-like edifice.

the facade of the renovated residence palace
image © tim fisher

the residence palace was built between 1922 and 1927 at the initiative of the financier lucien kasin and designed by swiss architect michel polak. the complex is a collective housing body under the form of luxurious service flats next to the city centre. the project only had a short commercial success and after world war II, it was converted into ministerial offices by the belgian state. an extension with a new façade was built in the sixties behind the original building and later in the eighties, the eastern wing was demolished to erect the justus lipsius –current seat of the council. the original façades, as well as the entrance halls and corridors on the ground floor, are listed today as part of the belgian cultural heritage.

by night, the lantern-like building casts its shines 
image © marie-françoise plissart

following urban planning regulations, the building is extended on the north-east side with two new façades to transform its current L shape into a cube. this outer area is converted into a glass atrium that protects from urban dust. it covers the principal entrance as well as a new lantern-shaped volume housing the conference rooms and following the minimal required surface for each type of space: the press room (level +1), 50-person dining room (level +11), 250-person meeting room (level +5) among others (level +3, +7), and finally the largest official dining room (level +9). each floor has an elliptic plan with different dimensions but the same centre and principal axis. the structure is rigorously symmetrical, although it does not appear so.

the oak-framed facade shows the reunion of old and new
image © quentin olbrechts, SAMYN and PATNERS 

the glazed double façade is made from an outer skin patchwork of recycled old oak windows found from demolition sites, with crystal clear single glazing, and an inner skin of crystal clear double glazing. the final design provides the necessary acoustic barrier from the traffic noise of the rue de la loi -wetstraat and a first thermal insulation for the inner space. in the context of a sustainable development approach, it was decided to restore and reuse some old — though still efficient– window frames. 

this façade will be both a practical and philosophical statement about re-using these traditional constructions elements, expressing the european diversity of cultures. moreover, the council’s wishe for a highly sustainable building example is greatly displayed through the architectural and technical designs. indeed, an umbrella of photovoltaic panels for electricity production covers the new and historical parts — which also symbolizes the link between the past, present and future. 

the renovated residence palace staircase
image © marie-françoise plissart

the lantern-shaped structure reflecting by night 
image © european union

the vibrant color work of georges meurant
image © european union

the colorful patchwork warms up the building interior
image © marie-françoise plissart / © colors: georges meurant

the ground floor space
image © marie-françoise plissart / © colors: georges meurant

stairs made of perforated steel, allowing for lighter structures
image © marie-françoise plissart 

the lantern shape was dictated by a railway passing under the building
image © marie-françoise plissart

EUROPA building
video © samyn and partners architects and engineers

project info:

lead design and architecture: philippe SAMYN and PARTNERS
structural engineering: philippe SAMYN and PARTNERS with SETESCO (sister company 1986-2006) or INGENIEURSBUREAU MEIJER (sister company 2007-2015)
services engineering: philippe SAMYN and PARTNERS with FTI (sister company since 1989)

client: belgian public buildings agency
location: rue de la loi 175 1000 brussels, belgium
superstructure: 53.815 sq.m
infrastructure: 17.184 sq.m

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom

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