Mundo-a

The new Mundo-a office building, an Ethical Property project, accommodates companies and organizations involved in operations focused on the environment, sustainability and other social themes. B-architects have conceived the building as a bridge, with the ground floor remaining undeveloped, thus creating ‘breathing space’ on the busy Turnhoutsebaan. They are providing scope for a green zone, a space for interaction between the users of the building, casual passers-by and local residents. The idea of creating space in the street fits in with the main conditions the designers had to work around: preserving the emergency exit of the subway and allowing access to the Ecohuis and Ecocafé behind it. The vertical circulation route that leads to the private offices, multifunctional spaces and roof terrace, is situated in a compact structure adjacent to the side façade. The basic principle for the new building was that ethical and ecological materials should be used. The supporting structure consists of an imposing wooden truss bridge from one party wall to the other. Despite the eye-catching façade material, the radically applied band windows and the open plinth, the project aims to fit in with the architectural design and dimensions of its immediate neighbours.

This project was opened on the occasion of the 2019 Day of Architecture. The text is based on a contribution by Kate Kerkhofs.