The National Bank of Belgium occupied a large, closed block on the edge of lower and upper Brussels. The building complex will become the workplace of the bank’s 1500 office-based staff. Moreover, the bank sees itself as a more open, permeable environment because of the increasingly digital finance and the move out of security functions. The bank's transformation aims to invite the public to enter the world of bank.
The project proposes the future bank as an open, inviting public interior. It provides its users with diverse urban experiences, new skills, and knowledge, and is an easy place to access for work, relaxation, eating, and learning. Elevated gardens are created in the main bank hall, connecting the public programs and leading people up to the citizen terrace on the rooftop. For staff, they are encouraged to grow their own vegetables and flowers on the newly added balconies and to cook and eat with colleagues in the lounges.