L'Escaut + Zampone

Located in the heart of the Heyvaert district of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean/Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, well known for the trade in used cars bound for Africa, this flagship project – part of the Petite Senne/Zinneke sustainable neighbourhood contract – occupies a former industrial building erected in 1910 on Quai de l'Industrie/Nijverheidskaai. The site, extending into the interior of an urban block, has been converted into a partially covered public space open to all and accessible for soft mobility. The multifunctional space brings together recycling workshops, intergenerational housing, a 72-place crèche, as well as a future circus school and bicycle recycling workshops. It is designed to be a warm and welcoming space with a variety of uses: games, sports, markets, interaction with adjoining facilities, small-scale events, and so on. In their design, L'Escaut and Zampone focused particularly on the importance of water in the landscape. Rainwater is collected and used to supply the site's sanitary facilities, and water is also prominent in a special feature and artwork forming a natural link with the canal. In addition, rainwater is allowed to seep into the water table beneath the trees and vegetation, helping to create a natural microcosm.