« New Heritage », a different look at the evolution of architecture

Ans Persoons, Brussels Secretary of State for Urban Planning and Heritage, and Bety Waknine, Managing Director of urban.brussels, today unveiled the programme for the 36th Heritage Days, to be held over the weekend of 14 & 15 September. Dedicated to ‘New Heritage’, these days are an invitation to the residents of Brussels and the general public to look at a recent past that is still very present in our daily lives, and at the city that has been built and transformed from the 1970s to the beginning of the 21st century.

“Although little known and often underestimated by the residents of Brussels, the ‘new heritage’ from 1970 to 2000 is an exceptional asset that bears witness to urban change, the evolution of our societies, architecture, construction techniques and materials over the course of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. By organising 180 activities combining the opening of buildings, guided tours, themed walks, etc., this 36th edition of Heritage Days is a unique opportunity for the people of Brussels to reclaim a little-known part of their city's history, and for our Region to highlight this rich heritage, which deserves greater awareness, promotion and protection,” says Ans Persoons, Brussels Secretary of State for Urban Planning and Heritage.

‘New Heritage’, a different look at the evolution of architecture

For this 36th edition, Urban has chosen a theme that, despite its rich heritage, is still little known to the general public: the period from 1970 to 2000.

These days will be a unique opportunity for many Brussels residents and visitors to the capital to (re)discover and take a fresh look at a series of buildings and edifices from the recent past, which bear witness to half a century of resilience in the city and a specific materiality that we have inherited today.

Modernist, functionalist, brutalist, contemporary architecture... Brussels has a wealth of ‘New Heritage’ that makes Brussels famous internationally, and which is currently the subject of a great deal of scientific and academic research and study in history of architecture.

As a reminder, last April the Brussels Region decided to complete the inventory of its architectural heritage by registering more than 4,000 properties dating from the 1939-1999 inventory. More than 600 of those were built between 1975 and 2000, and are called ‘New Heritage’. It doesn’t only concern new housing, principally located on the outskirts of the Region, but also office buildings, sports and cultural infrastructure, schools, churches and commercial properties. It could also be quality interventions on older buildings, with respect for the heritage value of the edifice; for example the subterranean extension to the Museum of Fine Arts in a project by Roger Bastin, or the monumental roof of La Bellone in the Rue de Flandre, realised by the Greisch firm.

‘‘This ‘New Heritage’ theme is in line with Urban's policy of making the public aware of the importance of informing themselves and reflecting on the past in order to better understand the future. It is also in line with the theme of ‘materiality’, the common thread running through Urban's various initiatives in 2024. This theme aims to get us thinking about the relationship we have with materials and our environment, but also about the nature of our relationship with architecture,’’ says Bety Waknine, managing director of Urban.brussels.

Materiality: the annual theme of Urban's cultural programme

Paying attention to the materiality of the city, to its materials and their environment, means studying, analysing, and becoming aware of their presence, their intrinsic characteristics, their history, their often-multiple meanings, including social and cultural, and their potential for diversified and improved use in the future.

To find out more about the annual theme of Urban's cultural programme, click here: 2024 under the sign of materiality - urban.brussels

Heritage Days 2024 Activities & Programme - 14 & 15 September

The Heritage Days are an initiative that allows many Brussels residents and Europeans to discover the exceptional heritage of the Belgian capital from a special angle, and to gain access to places that are not usually easily accessible. The project, which began in France in 1984 under the name ‘Journées Portes Ouvertes’, has grown into a successful annual event in which 49 countries now take part. In 1989, Belgium joined the initiative, becoming one of the pioneers of the event alongside the Netherlands, Sweden, and Malta. The event has since been organised́ every year by the Brussels-Capital Region, as part of the European Heritage Days, an initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union.

Today, the Heritage Days / Journées du Patrimoine have become the most important cultural event in the country. Although the three regions each organise these days in their own way, the starting point remains the same: to help as many people as possible discover the wealth of our heritage, which in many cases opens its doors to the general public especially for this occasion. And it works, as the public has proved year after year. Last year, over 45,000 people, both Belgian and foreign, visited more than 125 activities during Heritage Days in Brussels, which undoubtedly contributed to raising general awareness of heritage issues.

This year's programme features some 180 different activities, including exhibitions, shows, films, debates, treasure hunts and visits to emblematic buildings in no fewer than 18 different municipalities. In all, some XXX buildings, museums and edifices will be open to the general public, along with XXX walks or guided tours.

On the menu are rich and surprising stories about Brussels' neighbourhoods, such as the participatory architecture of the Louvain-en-Woluwe campus and the influence of protest movements. There's also a look at the controversial history of the Quartier Nord, a former working-class district now demolished, and the Nord-Midi junction, a railway link considered to be an example of Brusselsisation.

The programme also highlights the different subcultures and communities that still have a major influence on the city of Brussels today. Listen to the stories of the LGBTQIA+ community and the relocation of the ‘rainbow village’, visit an exhibition on the Belgian hip-hop scene from the 1990s to the present day, learn how migration has played a part in shaping the city at the MigratieMuseumMigration or take part in a feminist guided tour of the Solbosch campus.

Last but not least, Urban.brussels, in collaboration with some fifteen associations, is offering a programme specially tailored to schoolchildren on Heritage Monday, featuring around thirty different activities open to 130 Brussels classes ranging from the end of primary school to secondary school, involving a total of more than 3,000 pupils. As places are still available, interested French- and Dutch-speaking schools in Brussels are invited to contact Urban.brussels to take advantage of this offer.

Matrimony Days - 27 to 29 September

On 27, 28 and 29 September, the Matrimony Days / Journées du Matrimoine, organised with the support of urban.brussels, will also give visitors the chance to discover Brussels' current artistic, political and feminist heritage.

“For this sixth edition of the Matrimony Days, we have decided to pay tribute to five collectives who have contributed to the Belgian Matrimony: L'union des femmes africaines - section Congo, Dolle Mina, Les Biches Sauvages, L'union des Femmes Architectes de Belgique and the Association des Femmes Marocaines. By putting these collectives’ work in the spotlight, we want to remember that there are a lot of stories about women and minorities” says asbl ​ L’Architecture qui dégenre.

Indeed, the Matrimony Days, organised in Brussels since 2019 on the initiative of the ASBL L'architecture qui dégenre, highlight Brussels' matrimonial heritage and are an opportunity to grasp the historical, architectural, sculptural, urban planning and social issues under the prism of feminism.

These days are also an opportunity to raise the fundamental issue of women's access to property ownership and related professions. Through workshops with experts and guided tours by professionals, a picture is presented of the participation of women* and gender minorities in the various heritage-related professions.

All information on the Matrimony Days: https://www.matrimonydays.be

Various examples of properties and activities:

Brussels: headquarters of the European Union

This year, visitors will be able to take part in exclusive tours of iconic buildings at the heart of Europe. The public will have access to the main entrance, visitor centre, meeting rooms and other strategic areas of the Charlemagne building and will be able to admire the glass façade and the structure from the inside.

When visiting the Van Maerlant building, you can also climb the marble steps of the rotunda to discover the original architecture from the early 1980s, as well as the most distinctive part of the building: the two-storey footbridge spanning Rue Belliard. Those who can't get enough of the imposing glass structures can still enjoy a visit to two major buildings in the European Parliament complex: the Paul-Henri Spaak building and the Altiero Spinelli building. Visitors will discover not only architecture, but also works of art.

Brussimo

The former Brussimo building, which specialised in property development, was built between 1989 and 1993 by architects Samyn & Partners. Located in the heart of the European District, this transparent and original office building benefits from abundant natural light thanks to its floor-to-ceiling glass façades. Visitors may be curious to discover the unusual self-supporting superstructure levels which, with a span of almost 11 metres and built without beams or columns, are completely devoid of fixtures and fittings. This is a collaboration with Bruxelles Bavard and Klare Lijn.

Le Marquis x Reset Atelier

During the Brussels Gallery Weekend, Le Marquis will be opening the doors of its ‘Reset Atelier’ space, which will host a major exhibition that visitors can discover on their own or during a guided tour of the building. Designed by the non-profit organisation Arty Farty Brussels, the new space aims to promote social cohesion and artistic dynamism through lively and inspiring programming. The Marquis itself was built between 1985 and 1989 by ELD Partnership of Antwerp and the Atelier d'Architecture de Genval, Belgium's pioneering postmodern architecture firm.

Arlon 53

Arlon 53This office building is part of a complex of three buildings designed by architect Jean Verschuere between 1964 and 1968. The original structure is currently being renovated and will be visible during Heritage Days on the 4th floor, where a model of the future complex will also be on display. The project, led by architect firm ATAMA, involves the creation of almost 20,000 m² of office and retail space, while preserving the brutalist façades. The former car parks will be converted into conference centres, and a major greenery programme is planned.

Plan Alpha

Plan Alpha was drawn up in the 1960s to ensure the economic and social expansion of the country's various regions. The plan was never approved, however, and was eventually abandoned altogether following the wave of protests that accompanied the urban development of Brussels. As part of Heritage Days 2024, the exhibition, produced by Urban and organised by Perspective, presents for the first time the original project documents and some preliminary project maps. These documents, preserved by Urban, provide an insight into the modern project for Brussels, which was intended to accompany the gradual transformation of the capital into an international business centre.

Forum Jean Cosse

Brussels is full of rare buildings, and the Forum Jean Cosse, with its postmodernist exterior and brutalist interior, is a fine example. Visitors can opt for a guided tour or a self-guided tour of the building, and be surprised by the spectacular interplay of space, light, and texture.

The VUB Campus

In the early 1970s, Willy Van Der Meeren designed, in his own unique and inventive way, 352 student residences at the heart of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) campus in Ixelles. His aim was to create a pleasant living environment where different generations of students could spend unforgettable moments. Today, the former student residences are part of the VUB's precious architectural heritage, but they also pose particular challenges in terms of energy and comfort. To meet these challenges, 2 projects have been launched in recent years: the Circular Retrofit Lab and the WVDM Living Lab. During Heritage Days, guided tours will be offered to explain the two projects in detail, in the broader context of the history and future of the former student residences.

On the programme for the first time: movable and intangible heritage

Brussels is rich not only in its architectural heritage, but also in its arts, traditions, and crafts. That's why this year, for the first time, the Heritage Days programme will include activities linked to movable and intangible heritage.

Design Museum Brussels

To display the wealth of movable and documentary archives in the Christophe Gevers Fund at Design Museum Brussels, the Heritage Days will give visitors the opportunity to admire the creative process of an important figure in Belgian design and interior architecture in the new documentation centre.

La Cambre cafeteria

Fans of functional modern furniture can try out the ingenious curved benches designed by architect and designer Christophe Gevers during a free visit to the cafeteria at La Cambre, the Institut supérieur des Arts décoratifs, to see for themselves how comfortable they are.

The works of Jean Glibert

An important artist on the Belgian scene, Jean Glibert (1938-2024) has produced numerous projects combining space, light, colour, medium and material. Visitors can explore the monumental and generous works of Jean Glibert, who liked to describe painting as a collective good, on several routes through the public space. The tours are organised by Cécile Vandernoot, architect, and friend of the artist.

Brussels clubbing

New yet historic: Fuse is celebrating 30 years of influence on the Brussels clubbing and electronic scene. A panel of Brussels clubbing veterans and specialists will debate the survival of Brussels clubbing within the walls of Fuse. For those interested in the 80s clubbing scene, we highly recommend the iconic documentary ‘Mirano 80 l'espace d'un rêve’, which will be screened at the Mirano itself.

Folklore in Brussels

In addition to the oldest Brussels tradition recognised by UNESCO, the Meyboom plantation, which has been the subject of a folk festival for over 700 years, visitors will be able to enjoy even more folklore this year. The programme includes an exploration of the gastronomic and traditional values of the Brussels 'chicon', presented by the Confrérie des Compagnons du Witloof d'Evere, and a celebration of the curious but joyous tradition of the Zwanze by the Fanfare des Chasseurs de Prinkères.

Traditional puppet theatreToone’s Royal Theatre: who hasn't heard of Brussels' traditional puppet theatre, which has been in existence since 1830? The theatre is housed in the attic of the House of Toone, which was listed in 1997. It's here that the public can enjoy a performance of ‘The Three Musketeers’. The Théâtre du Ratinet, created in the 1960s by the Théâtre de l'Enfance, will be putting on a hilarious and mischievous show during Heritage Days

For more information on Heritage.Days 2024 visit: www.heritagedays.urban.brussels