Place Sainctelette in Brussels, at present still a chaotic junction on the Canal, is about to undergo a makeover. The combination Agence TER + Karbon + Arcadis was commissioned by Brussels Mobility to turn the square into a habitable space. Developers Urbicoon + Kumpen have already anticipated this transformation with a large complex on a corner of the square, on Quai des Charbonnages. It is mainly destined for residential use, but also includes a commercial space and offices on the ground and first floors. V+, MSA and Trans came up with an innovative formula for this ‘Dockside’, tailored to the ‘new’ Brussels residents.

Because of its strategic importance, Brussels Government Architect Kristiaan Borret organized a competition for this project. The winners made an unexpected yet clever move. They didn’t propose a tower, but a broad and deep housing block. Despite its 15 floors and a height of about 50 m, it still relates to the classic city blocks on the Canal. What was even smarter was that the winners transferred a considerable part of the plot to the public domain, on all three sides of the building. The building’s footprint is limited to a rectangle of about 32 by 40 m.