Competition: Loi 130, Brussels

The competition is open to Europe-based teams of architects, landscape architects, building services engineers and structural engineers, and seeks ‘forward-looking, innovative, sustainable and cost-efficient’ proposals for a landmark complex within the city’s busy European Quarter.

The phased project – planned to complete in two stages in 2025 and 2035 – will replace an existing outdated office building at Rue de la Loi 130 with a new facility for 5,250 workers also featuring retail, a conference venue, two childcare centres, a visitor centre, and a new entrance to Maelbeek subway station.

In its brief, the European Commission says it is ‘constantly seeking to increase efficiency, save money and reduce its environmental footprint. With this in mind, and in line with the ambitions of the Brussels Region, it is seeking to replace some of its ageing buildings with modern, eco-friendly offices.

‘To this end, the commission is launching an international architectural competition to identify the best design proposals for its most important current real-estate project in Brussels – the redevelopment of its premises at rue de la Loi 130. The Loi 130 architectural competition, supported by the International Union of Architects (UIA), is open to applicants from any EU country, as well as non-member countries that have access to EU procurement procedures.’

Brussels is the de facto capital of the European Union. The European Quarter, located in the centre of the historic city, is home to both the European Commission and the Council of the European Union.

Landmark structures in the area include the Lucien De Vestel-designed Berlaymont building, the Justus Lipsius building, and the Espace Léopold buildings.

The latest competition comes just days after a team featuring Sergison Bates, Swiss firm EM2N and Belgian outfit noAarchitecten has won the competition to design Brussels’ £105 million Pompidou Centre.

The project will replace the outdated Rue de la Loi 130 office block with a new sustainable complex intended to boost efficiency and reduce costs for the European Commission.

Following an open call for qualifications, around 30 teams will be invited to participate in the first phase of the competition. On the basis of their concept designs, up to 10 teams will then be asked to develop more detailed concepts.

The overall winner will receive around £105,000 while a second place prize of £87,000 and third place prize of approximately £70,000 will also be awarded.