As an alternative to new construction, Atelier Trame aims to redesign existing buildings and develop an architectural approach that addresses the core social and ecological challenges of a changing urban landscape. The student projects utilise the urban, architectural, structural and material characteristics of existing buildings to explore possible spatial and programmatic adaptations.

During the 2022-23 academic year, the research focused on the future of Brussels’ brutalist architectural complexes from the 1970s, which are underappreciated and (mostly) neglected. Four Brussels sites for which the BMA or the MSI organised competitions were selected for the repurposing exercise: the town hall of Auderghem, the Vifquin building in Schaerbeek (the former Social and Administrative Centre), the De Ligne building (the former headquarters of the Municipal Credit Bank) and the heliport of the DBDMH (Brussels Capital Region Fire and Emergency Medical Services).