BOGDAN & VAN BROECK ARCHITECTS deliberately choose not to have a typical architectural style but we do have a consistent approach. We zoom out, redefine the client's question, allow for incubation time, consider all the alternatives, and constantly question what we do. We aim for quality at every scale, accept change and include – next to space - 'time' as the main context of a project.
Over the 20th century, the history of architecture has evolved from a 'Beaux Arts' approach towards a rational, autonomous, problem solving one. We claim the necessity to push this approach to the next level and aim for an architecture that dares to let go of its autonomy and that is meaningful in today’s society.
Our projects cover a wide range of programs – brownfield redevelopment, housing, schools, offices, public and cultural buildings, renovations – with scales ranging from furniture design to programs of over 50 000 m². Thanks to the diversity of these commissions and to our background as architects, engineers and teachers, we also work as experts and consultants in the fields of urban design, site selection, real estate development, project management and feasibility studies. We are active in Brussels, in Belgium and in a number of other countries (Romania, Congo, Iceland, Sweden, Argentina, Estonia, Hungary).
We are involved in research and education. Oana Bogdan and Leo Van Broeck are both active at the University of Leuven, Belgium, where they teach urbanism, architecture, morphological engineering and building construction. Furthermore, they regularly take part in juries and support architectural quality in general: Leo Van Broeck was closely involved in the creation of sensitizing organisations such as the Flemish Architecture Institute and the Foundation for City and Architecture in Leuven; Oana Bogdan is a member of the Advisory Committee for Architecture and Design of the Flemish Government. Our ambition is reflected in the high education level of our multicultural and international team, a reflection of our 21st century global society.
MISSION STATEMENT
How to shape the human presence on earth? Earth is not ours, we belong to Earth. The extent to which we are aware of this intensifies the importance of architectural and urban quality of projects. Everything starts with a m² of terrestrial surface, which captures the energy of the most beautiful nuclear reactor we have, the Sun, and transforms it into chlorophyll, plants that after decay became oil, food, warmth, electrical energy, life, biodiversity... The preservation of untouched square meters is the engine of this planet, the food and energy reservoir of life itself. Telling people not to use all that is available is a message far too unpopular to be told by politicians who - to preserve democracy - need to be elected. Therefore mainly architects and urban designers have the increasing duty to reshape human space into a more compact and less destructive one. Earth population itself has to decrease, but that is mainly a long term political challenge. In the mean time we have to think about the best, most appealing and most durable solution for the existing population. We have to make sense. Therefore we recycle industrial wasteland and fill in urban gaps. We know that the free-standing house - even if well insulated and packed with green technology – will never be a good ecological solution. Therefore we rethink higher densities. We show that city life can be the best of both worlds and can be very attractive. We design environments that allow people to focus on the essence: live in an environment with genuine social and spatial quality without consuming huge amounts of surface and without excessive mobility problems. We believe that the design of dense high quality urban space can be a catalyst to change the way people look at their spatial needs.
Over the 20th century, the history of architecture has evolved from a 'Beaux Arts' approach towards a rational, autonomous, problem solving one. We claim the necessity to push this approach to the next level and aim for an architecture that dares to let go of its autonomy and that is meaningful in today’s society.
Our projects cover a wide range of programs – brownfield redevelopment, housing, schools, offices, public and cultural buildings, renovations – with scales ranging from furniture design to programs of over 50 000 m². Thanks to the diversity of these commissions and to our background as architects, engineers and teachers, we also work as experts and consultants in the fields of urban design, site selection, real estate development, project management and feasibility studies. We are active in Brussels, in Belgium and in a number of other countries (Romania, Congo, Iceland, Sweden, Argentina, Estonia, Hungary).
We are involved in research and education. Oana Bogdan and Leo Van Broeck are both active at the University of Leuven, Belgium, where they teach urbanism, architecture, morphological engineering and building construction. Furthermore, they regularly take part in juries and support architectural quality in general: Leo Van Broeck was closely involved in the creation of sensitizing organisations such as the Flemish Architecture Institute and the Foundation for City and Architecture in Leuven; Oana Bogdan is a member of the Advisory Committee for Architecture and Design of the Flemish Government. Our ambition is reflected in the high education level of our multicultural and international team, a reflection of our 21st century global society.
MISSION STATEMENT
How to shape the human presence on earth? Earth is not ours, we belong to Earth. The extent to which we are aware of this intensifies the importance of architectural and urban quality of projects. Everything starts with a m² of terrestrial surface, which captures the energy of the most beautiful nuclear reactor we have, the Sun, and transforms it into chlorophyll, plants that after decay became oil, food, warmth, electrical energy, life, biodiversity... The preservation of untouched square meters is the engine of this planet, the food and energy reservoir of life itself. Telling people not to use all that is available is a message far too unpopular to be told by politicians who - to preserve democracy - need to be elected. Therefore mainly architects and urban designers have the increasing duty to reshape human space into a more compact and less destructive one. Earth population itself has to decrease, but that is mainly a long term political challenge. In the mean time we have to think about the best, most appealing and most durable solution for the existing population. We have to make sense. Therefore we recycle industrial wasteland and fill in urban gaps. We know that the free-standing house - even if well insulated and packed with green technology – will never be a good ecological solution. Therefore we rethink higher densities. We show that city life can be the best of both worlds and can be very attractive. We design environments that allow people to focus on the essence: live in an environment with genuine social and spatial quality without consuming huge amounts of surface and without excessive mobility problems. We believe that the design of dense high quality urban space can be a catalyst to change the way people look at their spatial needs.
BOGDAN & VAN BROECK
ARCHITECTS bvba
Quai au Foin 55
1000 Brussels
Phone +32 2 609 00 65
Fax +32 2 609 00 89
ARCHITECTS bvba
Quai au Foin 55
1000 Brussels
Phone +32 2 609 00 65
Fax +32 2 609 00 89
Employees
10 Founded
2007 Specialities
ArchitectureInterior Design
Urban Planning
Consulting
Research