BOB361
Residential and work space
Since operations ceased in 1974, this magnificent boulevard building with a precious metal forge complex behind it has gradually crumbled into ruin. The premises had long attracted the attention of a few Flemish residents of Brussels, who wished to renovate the building and its outbuildings and transform it into a living and work place.
The 21-acre site consisted of a mass of voids, roofs, coteries, annexes, shelters, etc. All the "dilapidated" bits were removed and the architectural office BOB361 set to work with the bare structural bones. Once building permission was granted, the structural contractor went to work, mainly on demolishing the place. In the process, they repeatedly discovered new spaces, light wells and vistas that were worth preserving. The rough structure of the voids turned out to be workable as living and/or working spaces, since the whole complex had now gained permeability thanks to the four re-exposed courtyards and patios.
The basic idea was to create a whole green inner area that could be enjoyed by the residents of the complex but which would also add value to the block of houses surrounding the site and overlooking the inner area. Green roofs and terraces were planted everywhere and the communal courtyard was converted into an orchard with mature fruit trees. A number of shared features such as bicycle storage and an outdoor kitchen with terrace give out onto the communal courtyards/gardens.
Events taking place here
Take BOB 361, a breathtaking living space, and seat an audience down in the front of three improvisers.
In the time it takes to bake a chocolate fondant, an acrobat, a trombonist and a double bassist get together and whip up a performance in which space and time are completely reorganised by simultaneous physical and sonic actions.
A creative and interactive project that investigates and celebrates family ties, understood as a common, collective endeavour. More process-focused than result-oriented, the experience proposed by Italian artist Silvia Costa sees four generations of a family engaged in sharing a task. A great-grandmother, a grandmother, a mother and a son are in front of a blank canvas. They have many colours at their disposal, brushes and pencils.