Over the past decade, a growing number of architectural and urban studies have explored the adaptive reuse of buildings as a key strategy for sustainable urban transformation.
Yet few studies have focused specifically on the conversion of office buildings: one of the most
emblematic forms of obsolescence in post-industrial cities. This publication fills this gap by
combining theoretical reflection, regulatory insight, and field-based case studies to illustrate how
Brussels with its unique administrative background, has become a laboratory of transformation. This city has indeed been on the forefront of such reuse, having converted nearly 2.000.000 m2 of obsolete offices since the late 1990s.
The book not only documents the technical, economic, and heritage dimensions of this process
but also examines its social and spatial implications, offering a model for cities worldwide seeking
to reconcile architectural reuse with urban resilience.
Pages: 256
Language: English
22 × 28 cm
200 illustrations, 20 tables
Anders Böhlke is an architect graduated from the Victor Horta Institute (ULB, 2003) and holds an Advanced Master in Architecture and Sustainable Development from EPFL, 2007. Co-author of several books and publications, Anders is a guest lecturer at ULB/VUB, at the Sorbonne – Paris 1 and UCL.
Dorothée Stiernon is an architect (ULB, 2012) and holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Science
and Management (UCLouvain, 2014). Dorothée is a lecturer in Architecture (UCLouvain, since 2017).