The old Royale Belge - MIX

In 1965, the architects René Stapels (Brussels) and Pierre Dufau (Paris) received the mission to "imagine a resolutely contemporary building", intended to accommodate the some 2000 employees of La Royale Belge, a historic insurance company. They have as a playground a green setting of several hectares, on the edge of the Forêt de Soignes, benefiting both from direct access to the motorway and an extraordinary landscape scenography! Emboldened by this exceptional site, the architects designed a colossal building in the shape of a Greek cross that seems to levitate above a square base entirely glazed. The rust tint of the steel structure and the golden reflections of the reflective glazing signal this powerful architectural object from afar. As for the luxurious and modern interior, it offers a work environment focused on well-being and efficiency. In the impressive entrance hall, the auditorium is surrounded by the "Piliers Célestes" of Pierre Sabatier. La Royale Belge earns the status of an international icon of corporate architecture. The years pass, and with them the abandonment of the building... but the icon is worth preserving and is fortunately inscribed on the conservation list. After three study missions carried out by the MA2 studio (a set of historical and architectural notes on the pathologies present, a masterplan sketch, and a feasibility study), the building is entirely renovated by a team of architects: the British firm Caruso St John Architects (London) and the Belgian firm Bovenbouw Architectuur (Antwerp), as well as the firms DDS+, MA2 (Francis Metzger) and EOLE (Anne-Marie Sauvat) for heritage and landscape aspects. The interior design is entrusted to nearly 52 Belgian and international designers. Rehabilitated into a multifunctional complex, the emblematic building now houses the MIX, a giant "place to be" including a 4-star hotel, several restaurants, coworking spaces, and a highly prized sports and wellness center of over 5000 m2. Reintegrating the building into the life and urban fabric of Brussels, this rehabilitation was rewarded in 2024 by the European Heritage Europa Nostra Award.