De Loketten
Ilse Liekens

De Loketten by Studio Farris Architects in collaboration with Stefan Schöning

Studio Farris Architects as Architects

Studio Farris Architects won the competition to redesign the counter hall of the Flemish Parliament in Brussels.


The Flemish Parliament is located in the former postcheque building in Brussels, which is a classified monument designed by architect Victor Bourgeois in 1937.


The major challenge of this project was the confrontation with Bourgeois’s rational and repetitive architecture. In order to respect the historic value of this classified monument, the new pavilion distances itself from the counter hall.


As the brief stipulated, the counter hall would have to be suited for a range of activities: a cafe, a shop, a forum and a reading corner. Instead of placing these functions next to each other, which would take up too much space, the conceptual starting point was to blend everything into a single design.


The pavilion consists of a steel frame with wood finishing, placed on a rubber layer to avoid damaging the floor. To maintain the overall view of the counter hall, columns and ceiling are as narrow and thin as possible.


The duplex floor, which can comfortably accommodate groups up to 60 people, provides a new way of experiencing the counter hall as it creates new viewpoints for visitors. Being visible from the adjacent street, it arouses the curiosity of passersby.


The glass columns, which are spread around the pavilion, are actually shop windows and small exhibition showcases. The Parliament shop becomes part of the circulation instead of being a separate unit.


A video wall was installed in the central dividing wall, making the café double as a forum which can be used for presentations as well as to virtually attend the plenary sessions.


Behind the central wall is a quiet space which is equipped as a reading corner. An internet connection is available and newspapers and magazines can be consulted.

Featured Projects
Latest Products
News
Moody and seductive Sushi Zen by LDH Design opens in Beijing
22 Mar 2023 News
Moody and seductive Sushi Zen by LDH Design opens in Beijing

At No. 33 Wusi Street in Beijing’s Dongcheng District, LDH Design has recently completed works... More

KMR rethinks wooden residential construction with metal sheet façade and plywood louvres in Japan
22 Mar 2023 News
KMR rethinks wooden residential construction with metal sheet façade and plywood louvres in Japan

Surrounded by rice paddy fields and rural scenery with farmhouses dispersed throughout the countrysi... More

Chaix & Morel transform a former fire station into a creative urban centre in Paris
22 Mar 2023 News
Chaix & Morel transform a former fire station into a creative urban centre in Paris

The adaptive reuse of existing buildings is of great importance in Paris, especially when it comes t... More

10 impactful residential dining tables
20 Mar 2023 News
10 impactful residential dining tables

Residential dining tables are designed to meet all sorts of aesthetic preferences and are sized to m... More

Working Waterfront by GreenSpur draws inspiration from the organized chaos of old wharf designs
21 Mar 2023 News
Working Waterfront by GreenSpur draws inspiration from the organized chaos of old wharf designs

The Working Waterfront by GreenSpur draws inspiration from the rich boat-building history of Camden,... More

Ambitious Nanhai Guicheng Jingui High School maintains and simple rhythmic architecture of order and poetry
20 Mar 2023 News
Ambitious Nanhai Guicheng Jingui High School maintains and simple rhythmic architecture of order and poetry

As part of a larger urban planning project to provide improved and increased infrastructure to the g... More

10 stunning washbasins redefining luxury and style in private houses
20 Mar 2023 News
10 stunning washbasins redefining luxury and style in private houses

Luxury and comfort are the two factors that homeowners aspire to incorporate into their bathroom des... More

[Y/N] Studio complete the refurbishment of one of London’s most unique and community-focused public spaces
19 Mar 2023 News
[Y/N] Studio complete the refurbishment of one of London’s most unique and community-focused public spaces

One of London’s most unique and community-focused public spaces, Bradbury Works in Gillett Squ... More