The opening event to the Material Assembly is a conversation that invites you to explore and reflect on Brussels’ contemporary architecture through its materiality, via the lens of its makers and craftspeople. Our environment is made up of a dual state, both material and social. Our surroundings are intricately entwined with our interactions with others, shaping our relationships and influenced by the spaces, society, and culture in which we reside. The materiality of our city shapes the way we live and feel, Brussels is an ever changing region and its built heritage is constantly shifting too. For this year’s archiweek we explore contemporary productions through three encompassing topics which will be reflected in the conversations we will have:

The dialogues between past and present:
in this perpetual change of Brussels as a collage city, looking at material juxtapositions in renovation projects reflects past and present stories.

The circular life of materials:
by disassembling materials that can be salvageable and reassembling them in new configurations, architecture can consider what once was obsolete as new.

The revival of craftsmanship:
defined as a living art, craftsmanship continues to exist through its craftspeople; by zooming in on their collaborative work in today’s architectural landscape, we can understand the transformation from conceptual ideas into tactile realizations.

At its core, architecture involves organised materials designed to withstand gravity, rain, and wind, while also serving functional and aesthetic purposes. Given today's pressing societal challenges, exacerbated by the urgent climate crisis, we consider Brussels’ contemporary architecture as a host to urban life and its materiality as a tangible statement on a futureproof way of rethinking our built environment.

The Opening Assembly is an opportunity to open-up the conversation between architects, craftspeople, makers, thinkers and all users and residents within the city. Together we zoom in on the different hands coming together in shaping the city, highlighting its rich assemblage of materiality. We invite you to participate fully, to engage in exchanging, to come with interrogations, to enjoy a drink together.

Invited speakers will share their experience in a collective conversation with the attendees.
The curator team of Dérive-esque will guide the exchange.

We welcome you to join this Opening Assembly on Thursday evening 10 October 2024, from 18:30-20:00 at the Circularium, Chaussée de Mons/Bergensesteenweg 95, 1070 Anderlecht!

• Benoît Burquel (AgwA + ULB)
• Sarah Deboosere (Sarah & Charles)
• Colin Roustan (Gilbard)
• Enzo Valerio
• Lars Marcoen (Club Dérive)
• Laurane Coornaert (degré47)
• Aliki Loïzidis (L'équipe)
• Gaspard Geerts (Rotor asbl)