Habitat Hub undertakes the comprehensive renovation of a nearly 1,000-square-metre office and restaurant, inside a renovation plan of a 16,000 sqm building. Starting from an existing space, the project reimages the office as a contemporary, adaptable working environment that responds to evolving patterns of work and social interaction. At its core, the intervention focuses on two key areas: bringing the office up to date with Belgium’s fire safety regulations and offering a better working environment than the previous one.
Connection, collaboration and innovation
The ground floor is conceived as the social heart of the project. It is a space designed to bring people together through a carefully balanced combination of utility and atmosphere. A deliberate distinction is drawn between the highly technical and rigorously planned kitchen areas and the adjoining restaurant, which is envisioned as a contrasting environment. Serving over 800 meals daily, the restaurant is designed not only as a place of consumption, but as a setting for connection and pause. The calm and welcoming character it offers is achieved through the use of a neutral color palette, with soft pastel tones, and the integration of vegetation which fosters a sense of comfort and encouraging informal interactions among its users.
Above, the revitalized office floor shows the fundamental evolution in workplace design philosophy present in the current era. Moving away from obsolete, cellular, closed-off offices, the new layout embraces an open-plan model that promotes flexibility, transparency, and collaboration. Natural light is maximised throughout the project, while the introduction of high-quality materials and advanced acoustic solutions significantly enhances the comfort and wellbeing of the users. The result is a workspace that enhances productivity by offering a healthier and more engaging daily experience.
Rather than adopting a singular, static layout, the office floor is organised as a dynamic ecosystem of interconnected zones. These include collaborative hubs, focused work areas, agile meeting rooms, and informal gathering spaces, all carefully calibrated to support a wide spectrum of tasks and working styles, which are already present in the existing workforce. This approach enables fluid transitions between activities, reflecting the increasingly hybrid and adaptable nature of contemporary work environments. Despite this diversity, the design maintains a coherent and serene visual identity, ensuring that the space feels unified and purposeful.
Innovation within the project extends beyond spatial organization to encompass long-term performance and adaptability. The office is conceived as a flexible framework, capable of evolving in response to the changing nature of the company’s needs with minimal to no intervention. Durable materials and a consistent design language ensure that this adaptability does not come at the expense of quality, character or the user’s well-being. Instead, the building is positioned as a resilient asset since it can accommodate transformation while retaining its architectural integrity.
Reuse the office, reduce the carbon footprint
Central to the project is a commitment to sustainability and responsible resource use. By choosing to renovate and adapt the existing structure rather than building a new office building, the design significantly reduces material waste and embodied carbon. This approach not only conserves natural resources, but also extends the lifecycle of the building, reinforcing its long-term value. Flexibility and durability are therefore not only design principles but also environmental strategies, ensuring that the building remains relevant and efficient over time.
Equally important is the emphasis placed on user wellbeing. The design process carefully considers how spatial configurations influence workplace relationships and the worker’s daily experiences. The introduction of open, flexible layouts enhances opportunities for collaboration, while improved acoustics and increased access to natural light contribute to comfort and focus. A variety of work settings—from quiet, individual spaces to more social, collaborative zones—ensures that diverse needs are met, supporting both concentration and interaction.
Ultimately, the project presents a forward-looking vision of architecture as an evolving framework rather than a fixed solution. By prioritising adaptability, sustainability, and human experience, it transforms the building into a high-performance environment that anticipates change while maintaining a strong and cohesive identity.
