National Bank presents ambitious renovation plan for Brussels headquarters

The National Bank of Belgium has presented the plans for the renovation of its headquarters in Brussels. Its staff, who currently work in several buildings, will be brought together under one roof.

The ambitious renovation project will be carried out by the architectural firms KAAN Architecten and LOW Architecten. They will make the building more energy-efficient and reduce the working area from 217,000 square metres to 80,000 square metres.

The National Bank’s headquarters on Boulevard de Berlaimont, known as the NBB1 block, consists of a collection of historical structures built over several decades, from the 1860s to the 1960s.

"A new vision is needed to transform this unique ensemble into a future-oriented complex"

“Although the current complex is operationally inefficient, the remarkable historical components have considerable heritage and identity value, which precludes demolition,” said the architectural firms. “Therefore, a new vision is needed to transform this unique ensemble into a future-oriented complex.”

The renovation of the NBB1 building will result in a new state-of-the-art smart building by 2030. “The main objectives of the project are to improve energy performance and optimise the use of space," the architects said.

"By implementing innovative and sustainable solutions, such as advanced smart lighting, ventilation and heating systems, the Bank aims to achieve substantial energy savings. The renovated headquarters will furthermore offer the Bank’s staff a modern and pleasant working environment that caters to the demands of the changing work practices.”

_{The National Bank’s headquarters on Boulevard de Berlaimont in Brussels © BELGA PHOTO HERWIG VERGULT}