In Nerem, near Tongeren, a small miracle has taken place. An old, imposing chocolate factory – which later housed a brass foundry and an aluminium company – had stood empty for ages. No one could find a viable new use for it – until a2o architects came up with the solution. Their project proved a success in every respect, even though the designers encountered the many typical challenges associated with the regeneration of industrial heritage.

The chocolate factory, built shortly after 1900, was one of the first reinforced concrete structures in Belgium. Moreover, as chocolate production requires precise temperature control, the brick façades were constructed from three layers with two air gaps. As a result, the building still performs exceptionally well in terms of insulation. It was truly ‘a godsend’ in that respect, according to a2o.