H o w t h e H e r m a n Te i r l i n c k
b u i l d i n g b re a k s b o u n d a r i e s
With a surface area of 66,500 m2, the Herman
Teirlinck building on the Tour & Taxis site in Brussels
is the largest passive building in Belgium. The beating
heart of the building is a covered, indoor street. Here,
all common functions shared by staff and visitors
— such as a central information desk, restaurant,
reception rooms, auditoriums, exhibition space and
meeting centres — are located.
The street also provides access to four large winter
gardens, which provide daylight to the floors above
and are not climate controlled. In this way, they
effectively bridge the gap between inside and outside.
Strategically placed in the gardens alongside the
vegetation are a number of Extremis’ Hopper tables
and benches to create the perfect place to take a
break from work and relax. In a few years’ time, those
courtyards will provide five-meter-high green oases:
multifunctional spaces where workers and visitors can
escape the daily hustle and bustle and reflect.
In total, the Herman Teirlinck building provides 1,800
flexible workplaces for 2,600 people. Not only is this
in line with the rising teleworking trend, it also means
that employees are free to choose the spot in the office
that is best suited to their current task. Every work-
place is a generous 20 square meters. Ample working
space, and the availability of breakout spaces in the
form of four courtyards, provide the ideal environment
to strike a balance between relaxation and productiv-
ity.
The Herman Teirlinck building by Neutelings
Riedijk Architects features a Hopper combo in one
of the winter gardens, designed by Avantgarden.
