THE ENERGY FUTURE OF EXISTING BUILDINGS IN BRUSSELS: BETWEEN PRESERVATION AND PERFORMANCE

number of problems. After some time, the school also stood in the way of Brussels’ urban development, so at the end of the 19th century the decision was made to move the school to the site which is now the Veeartsenstraat. The current building was realised, under architect Semen's supervision, in the 1903-1909 period and was officially inaugurated on 14 August 1910 on the occasion of the Brussels World Expo (ARTER, 2012).

In 1969, the veterinary school became part of the University of Liege. Throughout the years, various parts of the school gradually moved to the campus in Liege and in 1991 the site was left completely desolate. In 1999, Anderlecht Municipality became the owner of the administrative building on the street side. In the meantime, on 22 February 1990, the façades and roofing of the original buildings were declared monuments and the entirety formed by these buildings and the park in which they are Located was Listed as a protected Landscape. However, this protection did nothing to hinder the decades-Long neglect that was to follow.

The veterinary school forms an extensive pavilion complex with a total of 19 buildings in Flemish neo-Renaissance style and Large green spaces in between. The veterinary school of Hanover was the inspiration for architect Seroen when designing the pavilion complex (ARTER, 2012). At the start of this study, various pavilions had already been restored. The study was therefore Limited to the former main administrative building, Located on the Veeartsenstraat (fig. 1). The monumental front and side façades are made predominantly of Euville Limestone with parts in bluestone. The south west facing rear façade is for the most part brick. The results of the more than 20 years of deterioration are clearly visible (fig. 2): the jointing has all but disappeared in various places; the limestone elements often show considerable loss of material and crack forming; and biological corrosion runs rampant, from lichens and moss to small trees sprouting from brickwork at the top of the façade.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

If a monument cannot be reinstated to its original function, then an appropriate new use is essential for sustainable conservation. It was decided to turn the main building into a centre for young businesses. The architectural project, which was entrusted to ARTER (a different architect is being used for the interior: HASA Architecten bvba), is endeavouring

Fig . 1

View of the main administrative building, according to a postcard dating from the early 20th century (verzameling Belfius Bank-Académie royale de Belgique© ARB-GOB).

Fig . 2

View of the rear façade after more than 20 years of neglect (photo by author).

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