mathieu cieters
Updates February 2023
Updates October 2022
Podcast URBAN DENSITY: the road to more high-rise buildings
More and more people are moving to cities. That is a trend that we see not only in Flanders, but internationally. What does that mean? That we will have to build more densely and therefore have to realize more high-rise buildings. Luc Binst: “A long road towards a new impetus, but we are on the eve of a new architectural policy.” In this episode, Binst, together with 3 other experts, discusses all the challenges on the road to more high-rise buildings.
You will hear Luc Binst (BINST ARCHITECTS), Thijs Verfaillie (Bureau Bouwtechniek NV), Kurt Van Den Bergh (Reynaers Aluminium) and Sven Verbruggen (UAntwerp).
Listen to the podcast via the link below (in Dutch):
https://www.architectura.be/nl/podcasts/stadsverdichting-de-weg-naar-meer-hoogbouw/
Updates July 2022
Updates March 2022
Updates december 2021
Updates september B05 magazine
Competition Design VRT, Brussels
Updates September 2021
Updates June 2021
Updates december 2020
Updates november 2020
Updates september 2020
Kom op tegen Kanker
‘Fight cancer’
On Sunday 24 November a Spaghetti BAR was organized in favor of the charity “Kom op tegen Kanker”.
Luc Binst in ‘Gazet van Antwerpen – Citta’
Luc Binst and his team build “architecture of tomorrow” from his new headquarters in Luikstraat. No less than 1 million square meters of construction area is under construction, in construction sites from Het Eilandje to the Zuid, from the Scheldekaaien to Hoboken, but also from Ostend to Brussels. “Architecture à la carte, from intelligent modesty to controlled expression.”
(Text: Frank Heirman / photo: Frederik Beyens)
‘HQ Cordeel’ in De Oost-Vlaamse Aannemer
Cordeel’s new office is a technological and architectural statement. De Boelwerf, the 87-hectare Belgian shipyard on the Scheide, dominated the skyline of Temse for 165 years until the yard was bottled in the early 1990s. Together with Aertssen, Cordeel bought up eighty-five hectares in 2011 to develop.
‘Luc Binst’ on Flanders DC (video)
Luc Binst from Binst Architects: “From day one, growing is going for it.”
Luc Binst is CEO of Binst Architects, an agency with a history of almost 50 years. After the death of founder Jo Crepain in 2008, partner Luc Binst took over. Last year he gave the agency a new impulse with a new name, a new office and a number of new branches. In this video he explains how Luc deals with growth and innovation in his office.
“WOODS” Exhibition & publication
ARCHITECTURE PRIZE LEUVEN 2019 – Leuven honors the most recent architectural gems that help shape the city by awarding the four-yearly Architecture Prize Leuven. In this way, it wants to give a platform a stage to relevant architecture in an urban context and show it to the general public. From 13 September, Stad en Architectuur vzw, which organizes the prize on behalf of the city, presents all nominated projects to the public in an exhibition and a publication.
WHERE: University Library, Mgr. Ladeuzeplein 21, Leuven
WHEN: until November 3, 2019
OPENING HOURS: Mon> Thu 9 am – 8 pm / Fri 9 am – 7 pm / Sat – Sun 10 am – 5 pm
Free access
“HQ Cordeel” on Architectura
“A BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE.” The new headquarters of the Cordeel company, designed by Binst Architects, is much more than a calling card. The building also illustrates the know-how of the company and its economic ambitions. It goes without saying that a maximum quality is required for this in every detail of the construction. Schüco also contributed.
‘Renson’ in V&A België
“New construction leads to 150 new jobs.” With this project, Renson wants to become the international reference for total experience.
WAREGEM In the “De Prijkels” industrial zone along the E17 (Deinze / Nazareth / Kruisem), the construction of the brand new Outdoor Experience Center of Renson has officially started. This new “outdoorliving” flagship of the company must be fully operational by 2021. The 300-meter-long new Renson building will take the form of a “garden pavilion XXL” along the highway and is expected to create 150 new jobs.
September 2019 updates
About last weekend…
BUS ’19 = Binst Architects Team Day. There’s no architecture without people!
#architecture #binstarchitects #projects #teamday #aboutlastweekend #people #collegues #buildings #behindthescenes #underconstruction #workinprogress #visit
‘Aequor’ in L’Officiel België
Aequor: Antwerp welcomes new architectural project of exceptional level. Het Eilandje in Antwerp can be proud of its new architectural eye-catcher. Sotheby Realty Antwerp presents its newest project “Aequor” to the public.
“DPG media” in Profiel online.nl
Curved curtain wall accentuates new media house. The new DPG Media headquarters will be the showcase of the renewed neighborhood at Antwerp Central Station. The building is a design by Binst Architects and was realized by the Belgian BESIX Group.
“Building leave”
A particularly satisfying leave is desired! We are on annual construction leave from 15 July to 4 August.
ADDITIONAL NEWSFLASH!
“HQ Cordeel” in Bouwen aan Vlaanderen
“Iconic flagship over the water.” An architectural feat, a technical feat, a unique eye-catcher: there are many ways to describe Cordeel’s new headquarters in Temse. The 108 meter long beam volume bridges the former dry dock of the Boelwerf, which is strategically located on a side arm of the Scheldt. Steel, glass, mirrored façade panels and a boundless ambition are the ingredients that unanimously appeal to this constructive gem.
RES-café 04.07.19 @ doktoren Antwerpen
Last Thursday, Immpact organized the Doktoren RES café in collaboration with Kairos and Binst Architects. The Dokoren project was in the spotlight.
“Renson / Outdoor Experience Center” in Bouwen aan Vlaanderen
“Outdoor Experience Center rises along E17”. Under “Creating healthy spaces” – Renson’s mission – “Outdoor living” is a fast-growing department. In the ‘De Prijkels’ industrial zone, along the E17, the company is therefore building a brand new building. With a striking façade of more than 300 meters and an impressive showroom. The new “Outdoor Experience Center” should be operational by 2021.
“Passive Loyens & Loeff offices” in La Cronique
Eco-friendly renovation for lawyers. The law firm Loyens & Loeff has taken up its new quarters at number 2 of avenue de Tervueren in Etterbeek. More than just a move, this new building is part of an eco-responsible and sustainable approach desired by the firm.
Passive Etterbeek offices at BRUZZ
An outdated office building on the Cinquantenaire escaped the breaker. The concrete structure was retained, but it was given a new look.
June 2019 updates
New website BINST ARCHITECTS online!
Not without pride we present you our new website entirely in line with our renewed artistic house style that you could now infer from our recent office address, our half-yearly magazine B and our other media channels.
With the selection of a hundred projects, we show you the diversity of a current and multidisciplinary architectural firm with attention to a high-quality approach and a wide variety and individuality in signature. A new website as the dynamic heart of Binst Architects where a team of 50 co-thinkers are strongly committed to supporting our ambitions on a daily basis.
‘5-fronted house’ in EntrrMagazine 3
‘Smart white living‘
The residents of a loft in Brussels wanted to make the transition to the countryside, more specifically to a detached house with the characteristics of their former home: sleek, spacious and with seamlessly merging living functions on one level. After purchasing a former orchard, they visited a home designed by Binst Architects (formerly Crepain Binst Architecture) during an open house weekend. That visit convinced them to work with the bureau.
Jo Crepain Awards 2019
“A homage to Jo Crepain”
On June 6, 2019, NAV presented the “Jo Crepain Awards” for the third time to architect entrepreneurs who link professionalism and innovation to engagement for society and their own sector. Congratulations to the winners & to all nominees.
“Residence Europe” in HLN
Bart Versluys proud of design for 81 rooms and 80 apartments. «Grandpa built old hotel Europe, I the new»
The new Europa hotel in Bredene, from Groep Versluys, will have 81 rooms. Next to it is a separate building with 80 apartments. The building permit has just been issued. “Because of my grandfather, who built the former hotel,” Europe project “is close to my heart,” says CEO Bart Versluys.
Opening Doors at a visible location along the E403 in Ardooie
At the Ter Vlucht business park today the symbolic first spade stitch was given for the construction of a new production site for argenta and ROB. Under the slogan “Opening Doors”, both brands in door fittings are starting the expansion of 1 strong company, where not only the 2 production sites of Louage & Wisselinck are brought together, but also argenta finds its final place.
‘Open Wervendag’ in HQ DPG Media.
The starting signal for Open Wervendag 2019 was given on Sunday morning 19 May in the future building of DPG Media on the Mediaplein in Antwerp.
During Open Wervendagdag 2019, around 400 people were able to visit the new main building of DPG Media on the old Kievitplein in Antwerp, which was recently renamed the Mediaplein.
Official commissioning ‘HQ Cordeel’
The official commissioning of the new headquarters of the Cordeel construction company on the Zaat site was accompanied by a memorable party & fireworks (lit from the company’s site).
‘VC House’ – Humbeek
Sculptural new-build house for the VC family. (completed: 330 m²)
With the annual realization of a few houses, Binst Architects is building on a vocabulary of sculptural diversity and a sensing individuality of contemporary living. In this way every private new construction contract is approached broadly and the site is triggered designally to conceptual statements. This design intends to present itself as a very sleek pavilion concept, a black box that presents itself as a classy interpretation, as a literal mirror of the Belgian banality of the street. This glass house packs a half-underground sleeping floor and an above-ground living floor as a living scene on the vast landscape. This floating front head embraces the carport and reinforces the idea of a functional separation and layered structure. To create a “black box”, the opaque façade sections are finished in black lacquered glass and the transparent façade sections are fitted with black fumed glazing.
Passive offices in Etterbeek
Renovation of an office building into passive offices at the foot of the Cinquantenaire on behalf of AG Real Estate. (completed 11,400m²)
In 2013, we won this important Brussels architecture competition that at the time focused on passive office building. The client left the designers free to choose a concept with demolition and new construction or renovation. Our concept – which resolutely opts for reconversion – provides an appropriate answer to the shortcomings of the existing office building. This both on an energetic and functional level. Maintaining the concrete skeleton is cost-effective, reduces waste production and shortens the site time! The new modular façade is set back in relation to the original front surface, creating a very interesting depth effect in terms of image value. This also ensures efficient structural sun protection. The 2 corners are filled in along the southeast side to create a more coherent whole. The added open corners make the building more pleasant and readable. This project was delivered very recently.
‘’t Brughuis’ Vilvoorde
Newly built apartments, commercial spaces and parking garage commissioned by Matexi. (yard started: 33,100m²)
‘T Brughuis is literally the cornerstone of the grand new development of Vilvoorde. With “4 fountains” or the Vilvoorde of tomorrow, Matexi opts for an ambitious mix of architectures, a wide range of housing options and a great deal of attention to the high-quality living around the Senne and the Brussels-Willebroek canal. Within the contours of the master plan by Lieven Achtergael, Binst Architects is currently building one of the largest neighborhood volumes as a block of 124 various apartments on a 4,400 m2 retail plinth and two underground parking spaces of 365 PP. Divided into 4 quasi-similar, tight volumes, the living units become suitable as connectable entities behind a rigid façade grid in a very light-looking, warm and timeless architecture. With two intermediate roof gardens on the public-oriented functions, we launch the idea of a green base as a viewing garden to the apartments that articulate the area with spacious, funky terraces on the facades.
“Albertbuilding Residence” Berchem
Re-use office building to 77 apartments with fitness and commercial spaces commissioned by DCA & Kolmont. (environmental permit: 19,260 m²)
The former telephone factory ATEA in Berchem between Belpairestraat and Boomgaardstraat will undergo a complete transformation in 2020. The disturbing outbuildings make way for a refreshing new building and the factory is fully redeveloped into an effervescent mix of functions; the existing supermarket and the fitness studio remain in their familiar place and are reinforced with additional shops and 77 apartments within the rough character of the industrial heritage. The non-original joinery in the existing factory façade will be replaced by new joinery with the same subdivision as the original joinery. Lockable winter gardens are created behind this original façade as outdoor space for the apartments. The optopping builds further on the facade architecture of the existing factory building. This redevelopment of the industrial site should give the new residents of Berchem a trendy New York feel!
Updates May 2019
“Passive offices-Tervueren 2.” in La libre immo
The Avenue de Tervueren in Brussels is still prestigious. 8 km long, this artery that crosses several municipalities and two regions always attracts developers and residents. “The address remains a prestigious address.
Offices: Redesigned façades Tervueren 2. Along its eight kilometers, Avenue de Tervueren also has some offices, most of which are located near Cinquantenaire or Montgomery. At the entrance of the avenue, in Merode, the building Tervueren 2 has just seen its complete renovation completed. Former office building, he keeps his assignment and has been refitted to measure for a law firm that will soon move there. “At first we had the project to transform this building which AG Insurance has owned since its construction in the 1970s into a residential project. We had organized a competition won by the Antwerp office Binst Architects “says Christophe De Man, development manager for AG Real Estate, project manager. “But the law firm came forward and we changed the project, always with the same architect.” The building underwent a major renovation. “We only kept the structure. The facade has also been modified to integrate more harmoniously with its urban environment. And in particular the old coating – architectural concrete – was replaced by stone. “
‘Hotel Radisson Blu’ Bruges
Binst Architects designed the multifunctional complex
commissioned by of Group GL including the full interior of the **** hotel Radisson Blu. (licensed and delivered hotel: 6,200m² project: 24,000m²)
The recent realization of this hotel is part of a major development on the station area of Bruges. The project is designed as a valuable sculptural addition to the parking boulevard and has an identity that belongs to the functions. A fresh and inviting appearance for the hotel of 106 rooms + 3 suites and a light openness for the offices behind are all combined in a beautifully elegant grid facade in light concrete. A white crocheted pattern that marks the hotel as a voile or interpretation from the Bruges side. This building is the new flagship of Belgium for the Carlson Rezidor group.
‘Komet site’ Mechelen
Binst Architects, together with Areal Architects, is designing a new sustainable and green residential area near the center of Mechelen commissioned by developer Revive NV. (phase building application: 16,500m²)
The new-build project “KOMET” is the positive lever for the adjacent neighborhood on one of the nicest living spaces of tomorrow near the city center with sustainable starting points, car-free park gardens and water views! Phase 1 consists of 6 building blocks with a qualitative mix of 128 residential units, 1,745 m² of commercial space, offices, catering and services, 2 underground parking garages, and collective bicycle parking. In addition to the mixed-use head building on the Vesten, we also designed the luxury waterfront apartments, an intermediary link to assisted living apartments and a series of ground-level homes to complete the building block. All suitable and connected as a fascinating gabarit and ribbon of various architectures based on the idea of a current urban architecture.
“Residence Initium” at Plantin and Moretuslei.
Binst Architect builds co-housing starter apartments in combination with a hotel in Antwerp instead of developer CANDOR. (14,000m²)
On the more than 30 years of wasteland on the well-known 5-jump intersection on the Plantin and Moretuslei, the site will fill this year with a stepped zigzag sculpture as an articulated living grandstand to the neighborhood. The mix of apartments mainly focuses on affordable housing for starters. Additional experience spaces form the basis of a strong living experience; a collective garden with relaxation zone, as well as a fitness, a laundry room and commercial plinth. The facades have a characteristic sawtooth pattern. The corner is accentuated by an optopping of 10 storeys, which is architecturally worked out as a crown. In line with the (protected) city views in sandstone around the project, an elaboration of sustainable façade materials in a light shade was chosen. Adjacent, we provide an extended stay budget hotel of 64 rooms in a manifest grid!
Updates January 2019
‘Radisson Blu Hotel’ in mice-magazine
Grand opening Radisson Blu Hotel, Bruges – a brand new “Blu” hotel in a UNESCO world heritage city.
Today, November 15, 2018, the Grand Opening of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Bruges, will be celebrated in a festive manner. This brand new hotel, which is part of the “New Bruges” development site, has 109 rooms as well as 6 meeting rooms. The hotel is within walking distance of the historic center. Together with extremely good accessibility, these are the assets of Radisson Blu Hotel, Bruges.
B scene: Günther Förg
“21.03.19 – 09.06.19” _ Bouquet _ B scene is pleased to announce her first exhibition “Bouquet” with artist Günther Förg.
Günther Förg (1952-2013) left behind an immensely sparkling oeuvre, in which all media from painting and drawing to photography and traditional sculpture were brought into dialogue with photographs of his circle of friends and from architecture ranging from Giuseppe Terragni to Bauhaus to the Casa Malaparte of Libera on Capri. With mirrors and wonderful murals, Günther Förg managed to relate to the legacy of modernism with bravado and freedom.
Förg managed to find the perfect balance between color and support, whether it was a lithograph, a drawing or a painting; he always managed to achieve a unique aesthetic unity that made a difference with his contemporaries. The artist Blinky Palermo was a great example for Günther Förg who, according to him, “made a personal contribution to the long history of mural painting and drawing”.
In the autumn of 2008, Luc Binst designed and realized 3 types of walls built parallel to each other for the exhibition hall of Cultuurcentrum Strombeek, to which Günther Förg responded by emotionally indicating 4 colors, which colored all interior walls in an even way. It became a lesson in symbiosis between freestanding architecture and color. The choice and power of the color on the architecture translated the architecture into a special space. With the opening of B-scene, an exhibition with Günther Förg was evident. “Bouquet” becomes a compact, even mini-retrospective exhibition in which most aspects of this magnificent oeuvre are discussed. Significant paintings on canvas and paper, a monumental photo from the “Bauhaus” series (Tel Aviv), a spatial “play” between a portrait photo and a mirror, a study for murals and a small sculpture open up a glimpse of the mastery of Günther Förg.
B scene – Room for art by Luc Binst & curator Luk Lambrecht.
This art space serves as a platform where the best artists of our time are shown against the background of the core activity of our architectural firm, in particular the design and realization of architecture.
“B 01” magazine
B 01 is the first edition of the new BINST ARCHITECTS magazine. We have the ambition to inform you every six months about the evolution of our activities in the new office at ‘t Zuid.
This first issue focuses on the transformation from old to new: the move, the new challenges for the team, the further exploration of the skills and the DNA of BINST ARCHITECTS. We are also introducing our new facilities – B 7, B brand and B scene – and we will present a selection of our broad portfolio under the heading “Spotlight”. All this in our refined, sleekly designed identity.
Crepain Binst Architecture becomes BINST ARCHITECTS
With great enthusiasm we inform you of our new name and new office location. 10 years after the early takeover of the office Crepain Binst Architecture we are from 15.10.18 BINST ARCHITECTS.
Over the past 2 years we have worked hard on optimizing our office with associated facilities at Het Zuid in Luikstraat 7 in 2000 Antwerp.
At this centrally located location between the Schelde quays and the Gedempte Zuiderdokken, we are doubling our surface area and there is also room for extra B concepts:
B 7 venue concept at -1
B brand our own design subbrand
B scene room for art (Hoek Luikstraat 1 – Cockerillkaai 31)
Within BINST ARCHITECTS, the corporate structure remains unchanged, as do the management, senior architects, main project leaders, junior architects, trainees and overhead employees.
I personally want to thank my team for the support during the past months to take this new step and especially our clients for the confidence in our team.
Yours sincerely
Luc Binst
BINST ARCHITECTS