The redevelopment of the former Royal Cavalry Barracks in Tervuren has begun.

The first stone was laid in the Panquin heritage site of Tervuren, in Belgium. The regeneration project is being carried out by C+S Architects and is estimated to cost 100M. The project is set to take place in a wonderful landscape near the busy Capital of Brussels.

The project entails the restoration of the Ex-Royal Cavalry Barracks at Panquin, which will be turned into a luxury 108-room hotel, with restaurants, lounges, and SPA facilities. The complex will also feature an Orangery, which will be open to the public. The addition of four new residential and commercial blocks on the borders of the park and public spaces offers a series of special experiences for inhabitants and visitors, including a new monumental square, a newly designed square brought back to its original historic level, a generous park with a new lake, and a smaller green public space.

The masterplan is based on the study of historical documentation and reinterpreted in modern forms and values: one example is the redesign, in a contemporary key, of a square raised to the original level (as shown in historical maps), which hides the bulky massing of necessary parking spaces and the SPA.

The public spaces are designed to flow together, creating a cohesive and easily accessible space for everyone. A lot of care went into choosing the details of the facade and how it would relate to the historic buildings nearby. The goal was to create a modern interpretation of key historical elements, like materiality and colors.

For 25 years C+S has been involved in projects of urban regeneration. We believe in the power of reusing existing buildings as one of the main principles of circularity. We care for people and the planet. Sustainability obtained thanks to the correct orientation of the buildings, the use of geothermal energy and a central warmth net together with photovoltaic panels, thick insulation, and the recuperation of dirty and rainwater for toilets and irrigation, will create almost energy-neutral buildings. 

At the first stone-laying ceremony for the new public space, Maria Alessandra Segantini talked about the importance of sustainability and circularity in design. She said that this new space will be a place for all people and that it will give back to the community a part of the city that is inaccessible today.

We have always been particularly interested to address the relationship between the old and the new, creating a dialogue with the techniques of the past. With Tervuren urban regeneration project, we are honored and proud to give back to the citizens a part of their city today inaccessible. We strongly believe in the power of a free, well-designed public domain to be activated by people, their memories, their dreams, and their experiences, contributing to reinforcing the identity of the community and the roots for future generations.

 

The Minister for Finance, Budget, Housing and Immovable Heritage Matthias Diependaele, the developers' ION and PMV, and the Major of Tervuren Marc Charlier all attended an event that highlights the importance of heritage buildings and their regeneration. This helps to reinforce the identity of the communities they are a part of.

The demolition works are expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

Team Designers and collaborators: Matteo Capecci, Michal Dabrovski, Davide Grandi, Tommaso Iaiza, C+S Architects

Developer: ION

Landscape Design: Omgeving cvba

Restauration: Koplamp

Engineering: M&R Engineering, BAAC

Local architects: a33, D E Architecten

Total surface: 33,700 sqm

Investment: 100 million euros