Architecten Achtergael, META architectuurbureau and jo taillieu architecten designed a particularly compact building for the VRT with a clear division of the specific and generic program and clear circulation lines. They proposed a building with maximum height in combination with a robust plinth volume. The roof surface of the plinth would be used as a gigantic garden for, among other things, the Ketnet playground, a sports field and an amphitheater.
The Flemish Radio and Television Broadcasting Organization urgently needs new accommodation. The entire green site is being redeveloped, with the new VRT building being given a compact plot on the edge of a publicly accessible Media Park. The other park edges will be built with both residential and office buildings for companies in the audio-visual sector, including the new RTBF building. Both buildings are the protagonists of the new Media Park.
In addition to the pertinent choice to design a particularly compact building, a thorough program study led to a clear division of the specific program (which can only function under custom-designed conditions, such as TV studios) and the generic program (which can be flexible such as offices). In addition, a lot of attention was paid to the design of clear and logical circulation lines within the complex circuits of the various functions. This analysis resulted in a building with maximum height in combination with a robust plinth volume. The roof surface of the plinth volume is used as an intensive green roof, accessible to all VRT employees.
The 3 TV studios with associated logistics areas are located on Verlainestraat. An intermediate level makes it possible to provide daylight for the lodges and crew facilities only a short walk from the studios.
The ground floor, adjacent to the Mediaplein, is largely public or semi-public. In addition to the market square and the staff restaurant, the event space with accompanying foyer is also located here, which can be used independently or together with the VRT rooms.
Workplaces are integrated on the upper floors. At level +1 are the actua brands VRT NWS (which has its own news studio), Sporza and Radio 1. All upper floors accommodate generic office space that can be freely and flexibly filled by the other VRT brands (Eén, Canvas, Ketnet, Radio 2, Klara, Studio Brussel and MNM) with recording and broadcasting facilities and support services for every brand. The upper level is used as a technical floor. The radio studios are positioned very visibly on the facade.
The relationship between the building and the public space is activated to the maximum by the large transparent glass surfaces and the facade staircase that connects all floor levels.
The roof garden contains various zones, including an outdoor studio, an outdoor amphitheater, a terrace with pergola, the Ketnet playground and a sports field. The garden would also be accessible to all VRT employees.
Two floors below, on the Verlainestraat side, the service access is provided with the underground parking (for visitors, service vehicles and staff) and the logistics cluster of the building.
client
Flemish Radio and Television Broadcasting Organization
location
Mediapark, Schaarbeek, Brussel
period
2020 - 2021
procedure
Competition(design and build, competitive dialogue)
surface
71.953 m²
team
Lieven Achtergael, Isabelle Dierickx, Vincenzo Mallardo, Brenda Vandenberghe, Ommery De Zutter, Arnaud De Sutter, Eloise Dobbelaere
i.c.w.
Meta Architectuurbureau (partner-architect), Jo Taillieu Architecten (partner-architect), CIT Blaton (general constructions), Mouton (structural engineering), Studieburo De Klerck Engineering (technical engineering), Kahle Acoustics (acoustical engineering), Bureau De Fonseca (acoustical engineering), DUSS (sustainability), Karres en Brands (landscape architecture), Bureau d'Etudes Delta G.C. (fire safety)