Aarlen Trier Trans

​Office building Arlon-Trier

Together with TRANS architecture I urbanism, Util and CES, we are renovating the existing building into an innovative office building.
Winner Renolab award for examplary circular design
  • Architect: TRANS architectuur I stedenbouw, Util and CES i.c.w. Bureau Bouwtechniek

  • Client: BPI Real Estate and AG Real Estate

  • Status: Design phase

Renovation of the current building into an innovative office building with a particular focus on the well-being of its users while retaining its distinctive existing architecture.

One of the striking 1970s buildings in the heart of Brussels' European quarter - the 'Arlon-Trier' building - will undergo an impressive renovation in the coming years, preparing it for a sustainable future.

What is at first sight a dull office complex in the European district is being upgraded with discreet elegance in this architectural competition. And this entirely from the philosophy of sustainable re-use of buildings. A good collaboration with the private developers, a strong competition with very high interest from candidate architects and a ground-breaking concept in terms of circularity because the building's supporting structure is also being tackled: yet another step forward for architectural quality! A game-changer in the real estate market.
Brusselse bouwmeester Kristiaan Borret
Aarlen Trier3

Investigative preliminary process

Together with the client, we set up a preliminary investigation in which the qualities of the existing building and the possibilities in terms of retaining the building were investigated in the areas of building physics, daylighting, maintenance, façade detailing/advice and circularity.

Greening and sustainability

Apart from the architecture of the building, special attention was also paid to sustainability and greening.

  • The building's envelope is being addressed and techniques are being revamped, to greatly reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption. Photovoltaic panels and heat pumps will be used to make the building carbon-free. BREEAM-Excellent and Well-Gold certification will be aspired to.
  • As much greenery as possible will be integrated into the project, both on the ground floor and on the various terraces, including the roof terrace on the twelfth floor. The greenery contributes to more biodiversity and reduces the heat island effect in the neighbourhood.
  • Finally, the inner area will be opened up to create a public connection between Arlon Street and Trier Street.
Aarlen Trier

Renolab Award

Brussels Environment presented this project with an award for exemplary renovations: with thorough building physics, correct fire concepts and clever detailing, this worn-out, barely insulated office building from 1970 with low ceilings, concrete rot and sagging floor slabs is given a new lease of life. The existing parking levels will be converted into a conference centre.

As executive architects, we help the designing architects with all construction technical and financial issues, so that they can fully focus on the design.

We also monitor the implementation and ensure that the objectives and plan are always crystal clear for all partners, so that together we can realise our dreams.

Aarlen Trier Trans Interior

We are also working on:

  • building physics and sustainability consultancy, calculating the environmental performance of the building using TOTEM;
  • dynamic simulations and daylight calculations of the offices;
  • hygrothermal analyses for the interior insulation;
  • thermal analyses of the building nodes;
  • EPB advice to obtain an energy-efficient building.

We will also be responsible for fire studies.

Meet our project team

From Team Architecture (private sector Antwerp, Limburg, Flemish Brabant and Brussels) (2)

Kathleen 569 A3540 Gemiddeld

arch. Kathleen Rens

Project architect
E-mail |
Joris 569 A0697 Gemiddeld

ir. arch. Joris Minnen

Project architect
E-mail |

From Team Computer Aided Design & BIM (4)

Alexander 569 A1665 Gemiddeld

arch. Alexander Vandenberghe

Technical designer
BIM-modeller
E-mail |
Glenn choice 719925

Glenn Verdyck

Technical designer
BIM modeller
E-mail |
KATIE

arch. ass. Katie Van der Borght

Technical designer
BIM modeller
E-mail |
Laura 569 A6623 Gemiddeld

arch. Laura Rombaut

Technisch ontwerper
BIM-modelleur

From Team Sustainability, Energy & Comfort (1)

BB Robbe oct2014

ir. arch. Robbe Verelst

Energy and sustainability advisor
Building physics engineer
E-mail |
TAGS: Daylight| EPB| TOTEM| Feasibility study