- Conférence
KANAL – Centre Pompidou
with Kristiaan Borret (BMA 2015–2025, Brussels) + Philippe Viérin (noAarchitecten, Brussels) + Aliki Loïzidis (L'ÉQUIPE architectes, Brussels)
Free, upon registration
The Ambition of Complexity
By Kristiaan Borret (BMA 2015–2025, Brussels)
Kristiaan Borret, Bouwmeester Maître Architecte from 2015 to 2025, will introduce the vision behind KANAL – a fully public project within Brussels’ major urban transformation. As BMA, he will reflect on the collaborative process shaped through open competitions, highlighting how diversity and experimentation have guided the project’s development : “Definitely complex, like Brussels itself”.
From Car Garage to Third Place
By Philippe Viérin (Architect and Managing Director, noAarchitecten, Brussels + Guest Professor, Politecnico di Milano)
In his presentation, Philippe Viérin will discuss the transformation of the former Citroën factory – composed of an iconic Showroom and a large factory space behind it – into a cultural “Third Place”, a hub hosting arts and performance. He will outline how the project redefines the museum as an open and shared civic space, fostering interaction, production and collective use, responding to an increasing absence of shared public spaces in our cities today.
The Bar-Brasserie – a Venue for Brussels
By Aliki Loïzidis (Architect, L'ÉQUIPE architectes, Brussels)
KANAL’s bar-brasserie has been conceived by L'ÉQUIPE to act as a mediator between city and culture. Aliki Loïzidis will explore its architectural concept, revealing how the project engages with context and users. Designed around the archetypes of the amphitheatre and covered square, it encourages public gathering and flexibility of use. A central sculptural bar, inspired by local car-body craftsmanship, connects the site’s industrial heritage with contemporary architectural expression.
- Language : EN
- Free, upon registration
Organised as part of the “Soft Power : The Brussels Way of Making the City” exhibition.
Kristiaan Borret
Bouwmeester Maître Architecte 2015-2025, Brussels
Kristiaan Borret was the Bouwmeester – Maître Architecte (BMA) of the Brussels Capital Region from 2015 to 2025.
From 2006 to 2014 he held a similar position for the City of Antwerp and, since 2017, he works also for the City of Amsterdam as quality supervisor for two major urban transformation areas.
Kristiaan Borret is professor of urban design at Ghent University.
Philippe Viérin
Architect and Managing Director, noAarchitecten, Brussels + Guest Professor, Politecnico di Milano
Philippe Vierin (1969, Bruges) studied architecture at Ghent University and collaborated in the practice of Stéphane Beel and Kees Christiaanse. Besides being a partner at noAarchitecten since 1999 he also runs Viérin Architecten in Bruges.
Between 2013 and 2018 he taught as a guest professor at TU Delft and Université catholique de Louvain. From September 2025 onwards, Philippe Viérin is a guest professor at the Politecnico di Milano.
Aliki Loïzidis
Architect, L'ÉQUIPE architectes, Brussels
Aliki Loïzidis is an architect at the Brussels-based practice L’Équipe, together with Carla Frick-Cloupet, Maïlys Gangloff and Victoire Chancel. The office works at the intersection of architecture, design, scenography and research, with a focus on spaces of hospitality and public interaction. Current projects include interventions with Bozar, the Halles de Schaerbeek, Théâtre Varia and Horst Festival, as well as projects for private clients.
