Marie-Elisabeth Belpaire Building- Flemish Government

51N4E, in collaboration with Jaspers-Eijers and LAUC, played a pivotal role in the interior design and conceptual development of this innovative project, with a particular focus on the Flemish government’s office spaces within the complex.

51N4E was tasked with creating a new, inspiring, and sustainable workplace for approximately 3,900 Flemish government officials. The design had to align with the project’s core principles of exchange and flexibility, ensuring that the office spaces could adapt to evolving work patterns and needs. The interiors were designed to foster collaboration and provide a healthy, green working environment.

A core challenge in the ZIN project was adhering to the principle of radical reuse. The existing buildings were considered material banks, and the interior design needed to reflect this sustainable approach. 51N4E integrated recycled and environmentally friendly materials throughout the project, consistent with the cradle-to-cradle philosophy.

For the flooring, 51N4E selected an existing Cradle-to-Cradle Certified carpet collection from modulyss. This choice met the project’s stringent sustainability requirements, including the ability to capture dust effectively, an important feature for maintaining a healthy indoor environment. However, to align the carpet with the specific aesthetic needs of the project, 51N4E worked closely with modulyss to develop custom colours for the collection. These custom colours were designed to integrate seamlessly with the overall design concept, which featured bold colour schemes and a subtle, organic pattern.

In keeping with the project's overarching goals, the interiors designed by 51N4E had to be both flexible and future-proof. The office spaces were created to support a variety of uses and configurations over time. This approach was further enhanced by the new double-height volume connecting the towers, adding a dynamic element to the interior space and improving flow and connectivity within the complex.

The ZIN in No(o)rd project successfully transformed the WTC I and II towers into a cutting-edge, mixed-use complex that sets a new benchmark for sustainable and adaptable architecture in Europe. The interior spaces, particularly the Flemish government offices, are a testament to 51N4E’s innovative approach. The customized Cradle-to-Cradle Certified carpet, developed in collaboration with modulyss, perfectly complements the building's bold yet flexible design. The project’s emphasis on reuse and adaptability ensures that it will continue to serve the needs of its occupants well into the future.