An 18th-century heritage restored
The former Abbey of Forest, located in the municipality of the same name in Brussels and dating from the second half of the 18th century, is currently undergoing a full transformation. This vast complex, consisting of the horseshoe-shaped abbey, its gardens, a church, and a castle, will soon become a cultural space in the city center. It will house the municipal library, the Academy of Music, Speech, and Dance, the cultural center of Forest, the BRASS, the Youth House of Forest, and the municipal youth service. Based on strong experience with projects such as the Abbey of Peace-God or the town hall of Mons, the Greisch office has been commissioned for the stability studies.
Respect for architectural authenticity
The restoration of the listed buildings is part of an approach aimed at restoring the original envelope, while limiting the visual impact of the interventions. The building has undergone numerous transformations over the course of its various occupations, some of which have weakened the structure of the building. In the East wing, only one of the two vaults remained; metal arches have been discreetly integrated into the opening of the bays to ensure the bracing of the building. The choice of materials respectful of ancient construction techniques, such as lime mortar, slate roofs, and copper gutters, meets this heritage requirement and helps restore the identity of the place. A team of archaeologists is also permanently assigned to the site.
Roof structures and structures: a case-by-case restoration
All original wooden roof structures have been the subject of a survey, and preservation and reinforcement work has been prescribed. When possible, the damaged or rotten parts are cut out, and a graft sealed with resin rods is put in place. This approach requires a regular presence on the site as well as constant dialogue between the design office and the various stakeholders, all subject to the opinion of the Royal Commission for Monuments and Sites.
A castle transformed into a multipurpose space
In the castle part, already heavily transformed previously, the floors intended to accommodate dance halls and other multipurpose spaces are reinforced and new ones are added. A large metal truss will be put in place to free up space by supporting the original roof structure. Moreover, in order to meet current standards, the vertical circulations have been doubled, from the cellars to the second floor.
A library in a new building
Finally, the library will be located in a new building built for this purpose. To free up space, some houses have been demolished, offering, moreover, a return to greater perspectives on the site. The presence of a water table at only one meter depth requires, for this building, the installation of a watertight enclosure in secant piles. It allows the local lowering of the water table and the realization of a basement level.
The actors of the project
- Owner: Municipality of Forest
- Design Architect: A-practice: Vincent Piroux, Architectures parallèles: Guillaume Burnet
- Execution Architect: Bouwtechniek
- Stability and Heritage Design Office: Bureau greisch
- Contractor: Artes
