Gastronomia – Renovation of former industrial halls and construction of mixed-use buildings

In the centre of Seraing, the Gastronomia project is part of the conversion of former industrial halls into an atypical venue that brings together food shops, a food court, a space dedicated to coworking and an open-air landscaped car park.

The project is also initiating the urban transformation of large former industrial plots into areas devoted mainly to housing, local shops, and offices.

The Hall (3,300m²) houses a large space (2,100m²) dedicated to markets, concerts, etc., a food court and stalls (1,200m²), and a coworking space (1,750m²) on the mezzanine level of the hall. The landscaped car park (5,200m²) has 166 parking spaces and plenty of space for 2-wheelers.

The new buildings comprise shops and services (1,550m²) on the ground floor and 93 flats (8,300m²) on the upper floors.

The range of homes is diversified in terms of orientation, type, and volume. The emphasis is always on natural lighting. Each home has its own outdoor space.

Based on the search for urban continuity and the need for porosity, the project weaves links with the surrounding context, including its volumes and materials.

Developments are thought out in a comprehensive way, integrating gentle management that respects the Water Code by encouraging infiltration and limiting discharges into the network. Green areas are maximised (green islands, planted valleys, rain gardens, etc.) and permeable materials are favoured (grass slabs, stonework, etc.) in compliance with the site’s use, maintenance, and safety requirements.

From Rue Cockerill, a pedestrian walkway provides a means of discovering and entering the Hall.

The facades of the residential units are mainly in brick, a timeless and enduring material that is available in a variety of styles. The Hall is covered in metal cladding and polycarbonate panels.

Double-pitched roofs cover most new buildings. Only occasional areas of flat roof are planned for the interior of blocks. These platforms are either planted with vegetation or used for technical installations.

Structurally, interventions on the existing buildings are limited. The structure of the new buildings is designed with a system of beams and columns on the ground floor and sand-lime masonry on the upper floors.