Accelerated by the pandemic and the rise of remote working, a shift is underway in the very meaning of working in an office. This is prompting a rethinking of the design and typology of workspaces. Aetelier, a conversion project on the industrial estate in Heverlee near Leuven, challenges the notion of the neutral, grey office space, whilst highlighting the need for further architectural research and an adapted urban planning vision to give spatial form to societal change in the realm of work. ¹ 1 The existing building was given a completely new insulated façade, constructed from aluminium panels and deep, ivory-coloured window frames. The outdoor patio extends from the event space, which can be hired out but is equally suitable for daily use by staff as a lunch area.

The Research Park in Heverlee is a science park that primarily houses high-tech companies, often spin-offs from KU Leuven. The site is situated on the outskirts of the city, right next to the E40, and is easily accessible only by car. Architecturally and urbanistically, it is a completely uninspiring place. Not a single building – all anonymous, generic boxes, with the exception of a few postmodern outliers – engages with the public space, if indeed there is one. According to the zoning criteria of the Regional Spatial Implementation Plan, this business park is designated solely for research, development, production and logistics. Other, more urban functions that might bring some life to this soulless zone are not permitted here – at best, they are tolerated with a blind eye.