Rehabilitation and Transformation  of the Grand Hornu – Belgium

Location: Hornu, Belgium
Project: Rehabilitation of a 19th century industrial complex
Surface: 150 000 m2
Date: 1989-1996
Role: Architect and planner
Status: Completed

The Grand Hornu is a remarkable old mining and industrial complex dating from the industrial revolution. Set up between 1810 and 1830 by Henri De Gorge, a captain of industry of French origin, it constitutes a true city project, an example of functional town planning on the European continent at the beginning of the great era of industrialization.

Built in the neo-classic style, the Grand Hornu includes workshops, offices, housing for workers, etc. Punctuated by arcades, pediments and windows in half-moons, the large scale workshops constitute a majestic ensemble.

We played a major part in the large-scale rehabilitation of this industrial complex. Today, the site houses the Museum of Contemporary Arts of the French Community in Belgium, restaurants, bookshop, shops, conference-rooms etc.

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