Call for designers
Redevelopment of Rotor (DC) site at Bordet
01/09/2024
Big plans ahead! It's been 2 years since we arrived on this 14.000 m² site in the Da Vinci district of citydev.brussels. If we have chosen a site of this size, it is because we wanted to create a place that would not only house Rotor (DC), but also several other initiatives. From the start, the idea has been to transform this site into a vibrant place dedicated to reuse, local economy and craftsmanship, which would play an essential role in the city. Now we need a design team to help us turn this ambition into reality!
No plans for demolition: the project consists of keeping the existing buildings from the 1980s and improving, transforming and extending them, using a large share of reclaimed and bio-based materials. That's why we're looking for designers without newness bias, but who are willing to work with what's already there!
Our call is organized just like a public architectural competition. What’s specific is that we're not asking to produce a full schematic design as part of the application. Instead, with the team of the BMA bouwmeester maître architecte, we have developed a lighter procedure, where the evaluation is based on references, vision, collaboration methodology, etc.
Important note: the project is still conditional. In order to finance it, we applied for an ERDF project call from the Brussels region, which aims to support the creation of reuse and recycling centers. After the first round, we were shortlisted together with 7 other projects - although only 5-6 projects will be funded in the end. But there is no time to rest: while we wait for the outcome of the second round, we need to get on with selecting our design team so that we can start as soon as possible if the answer is positive - and we really, really hope it is!
If so, by 2029 the site will be home to an ecosystem of more than 9 SMEs employing more than 70 FTE jobs and putting thousands of tonnes of materials and goods back into circulation each year. It will also be an inspiring place to visit and a key piece in the big puzzle of the material economy.
We can't wait to see what this site will look like in 5 years!
All info about the call :
