8. Observatory cases
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed sit amet ante ex. Duis elementum cursus lectus, non finibus lorem volutpat non. Etiam at massa sed felis euismod tincidunt. Pellentesque semper quis arcu sed posuere. Nam velit dui, posuere vitae semper ac, interdum ac nulla. Duis odio orci, maximus vel gravida non, scelerisque in neque. Suspendisse a erat non ante euismod egestas ac quis dui. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia curae;
La Tricoterie
Théodore Verhaegenstraat 158,1060 Brussel, België
La Tricoterie is a 1600m² cultural and event venue, founded in 2010 by citizens who wanted to change the world by making a dream come true: to create a unique place focused on culture, public encounters and sustainability. Today, the Fabrique de liens welcomes you to the heart of Saint-Gilles and offers you a cultural season and numerous activities, spaces to rent and professional services, as well as artisanal and local cuisine.
Circularium
Bergensesteenweg 95,1070 Anderlecht, België
Circularium, is the transformation of more than 20,000 m2 of industrial space into a large centre of innovation and circular production dedicated to the city. A place intended for productive activities with short supply chains, for actors from the cultural sector and for neighbourhood life. A space for everyone, where people work, live and meet. The site offers numerous advantages. It is located a stone’s throw from the city centre, the South Station and the canal. Its surface area is over 2 hectares (of which 7,933 m2 of built covered + 12,067 m2 of outdoor space available for Circularium). The ceiling heights of the spaces allow for different types of industrial production and cultural events. Their occupation can be flexible in time and space, depending on everyone’s needs. Circularium was launched in March 2020 for a minimum period of 5 years and can be extended depending on the evolution of the project. The aim of this transitional occupation is to give a new dynamic to this former automobile complex. The reconfiguration into an innovative, attractive and sustainable place for a new type of entrepreneurship and urban economy. During the transitional phase of 5 years, the site will host various projects, preferably an interesting mix of long-term projects, start-up projects, projects with a pop-up character and event projects. This period of 5 years allows these new activities to be tested and possibly then – why not – to settle there permanently.
Maniak Padoue
Monnikenstraat 26,1190 Vorst., België
The municipality and the churchwardenship agreed to a secondary destination as a climbing hall. Importance was attached to the heritage value of the building and the preservation of the historical character of the church. Attention was paid to the local residents and prices that are accessible to the neighbourhood. In this way, the church building was returned to the neighbourhood.
Construction began in 2022. And in one year, the entrepreneurs managed to improve the foundation, repair the church roof and give the building a second life. During the works, the original state of the church was preserved as much as possible. For example, nothing changed to the altar or the special stained glass windows. At the request of the churchwardenship, symbols reminiscent of Christianity were removed. For example, the confession booths and the church chairs disappeared from the space.
Thanks to the high nave, there is room for a 4.5 meter wall for bouldering, a 15 meter high climbing wall and a 20 meter wall for lead. In addition, a bar has been installed in the church. In addition to the commercial function, a mass is celebrated twice a week in the front of the church.
Maniak Padoue explicitly invites local residents to come climbing. Through the community centres, young people can even use the facilities for free and parishioners enjoy a discounted
Mona
Jetselaan 225, 1090 Jette, België
Mona, located in a former monastery at Jetselaan 225 in Jette, is a socio-cultural and activist hub designed as a space where anyone can participate in or propose activities. The emphasis is on creating an inclusive, open meeting space for a wide range of community-driven interactions. Mona seeks to foster collaboration, creativity, and cross-pollination of ideas among different groups and individuals. The project embodies the idea of shared ownership, where community members are encouraged to contribute by organizing events or simply using the space.
The history of Mona stems from a broader movement of reclaiming unused or underutilized urban spaces for social, cultural, and civic purposes. Such initiatives are often driven by the desire to preserve heritage buildings while giving them a contemporary function that benefits the local community. In the case of Mona, the transformation from a monastery into an open, accessible meeting place aligns with a trend seen in other European cities, where old religious or industrial buildings are repurposed to serve as venues for social innovation, activism, and cultural activities.
The project’s mission is rooted in inclusivity and accessibility, offering a platform for diverse forms of engagement, from art and activism to education and social events.
