The winner of the architecture competition is an international consortium comprising noAarchitects (Brussels), Sergison Bates Architects (London) and EM2N Architekten (Zurich). They operate under the banner Atelier Kanal.
The structural works of the KANAL culture hub involve the stability, construction and restoration of the roofs of the former Citroën garage. They also include the construction of 3 roof penetrations on the site, the renovation of the site's emblematic facades, the construction of all museum, office and conference spaces, multipurpose rooms, reception areas and the completion of the hospitality pavilion.
Work is scheduled to start in March 2022.
Kanal is a beacon for Brussels. I am pleased to see that the project is progressing well and that, despite successive crises, the repurposing of this huge building into a cultural venue accessible to the city is entering the final straight. The development of a 40,000m² museum of modern and contemporary art in Brussels is a real opportunity to attract visitors from outside Brussels, stimulate the cultural curiosity of Brussels residents and, above all, boost contemporary artistic creation in the capital. The architectural project is promising and, with its large, open spaces, already makes one dream of a place where all Brussels residents meet.
