13 December 2010
Brussels Region officially launches the Rogierplein construction by holding a press conference.
In 2006 Brussels Region launched an European competition for the redesign of the Rogier Square and the metro entrances.
Construction started in 2010 and by mid 2013, the project will be completed.
The square lacks the spatial quality to generate a “hotspot” in the city, the space is used in an intensive but chaotic way by different types of passers-by ; shoppers, commuters, tourists and local residents. Everybody carefully avoids each other and seems to disappear as fast as they arrive on the square.
Our concept proposes a spatial strategy: horizontal and vertical connections are reorganized by concentrating the different uses of the public space. Simultaneously the square itself becomes a fluid open space again. Finally an articulation, the canopy, is proposed that clearly differentiates the square from the boulevard and accentuates the former as a new reference point.
The project has four main elements:
. Canopy: a 63m steel roof that partly covers the boulevard and clearly marks the square. Almost all public transfers are gathered under it.
. Square: by concentrating all activities this 8700m² square can be conceived as an open and representative space that can easily be appropriated by the surrounding hotels and towers.
. Patio: a 13x27m wide exterior space connecting the underground metro station with the square and providing it with natural light and fresh air.
. Strip: a 7400 m² green pedestrian area with urban recreation activities.