Red Cloister: where the prior walks and the city disappears

Repurposing of a historical abbey in the primeval forest of Brussel Aan On the edge of the Sonian Forest, where the city slowly transitions into silence and nature, lies the Rood Klooster – a place steeped in history and charm. This unique sanctuary forms not only a gateway to the forest, but also a harmonious whole of architecture, forest, and nature, an enchanting landscape right near the city. Since the second half of the 14th century, the canons of the Order of Saint Augustine lived here. The monastery walls once enclosed the entire domain – and today they are still partially visible, just like the old buildings and outbuildings of the former monastery. Today, the Rood Klooster is once again an inspiring and lively place where heritage, nature, and culture meet. An unmissable oasis on the edge of the city! One of the most striking buildings on the site is the prior’s house, the oldest establishment of the monastery, built between the 14th and 15th centuries. After twenty years of vacancy, this valuable heritage recently received a second life thanks to a thorough restoration. The works, started in 2019 on the initiative of the Brussels Gewest, were carried out by the architectural firms Origin and LD2. They faced significant challenges: structural instability, heritage restrictions, and ecological requirements, such as the protection of bats in the attic.