Brussels tower renovation wins first Flemish architecture prize

The renovation of the Goujons Tower in Anderlecht has won the first-ever Architecture Prize Flanders, awarded by the Flemish Architecture Institute (VAi).

The tower, which has 378 flats and is the largest apartment building in the Brussels Region, was chosen from 20 shortlisted projects and more than 300 entries. The renovation was designed by architecture firms Karbon’ and TVK.

The project added large terraces, a new sports hall and a community space, while also improving the building’s energy efficiency. Residents were able to stay in their homes throughout the works.

The jury praised the renovation as an ambitious example of the future of social housing, highlighting its design quality and focus on residents’ daily lives.

However, the award comes amid controversy. The building is managed by Anderlechtse Haard, a social housing company at the centre of an alleged housing allocation scandal. Police recently searched its offices and the home of its chairman as part of investigations into claims of favouritism in the allocation of social housing.

The VAi said it strongly condemns any suspected wrongdoing but maintained that the renovation should be judged on its architectural merits.

Several other projects also received category awards, including Usquare Feder in Ixelles, a former police barracks redeveloped into a university and mixed-use district.

The new Architecture Prize Flanders aims to recognise projects that deliver social value as well as architectural quality.

^{#FlandersNewsService | © Flemish Architecture Institute}