New video capsule: Place Destrée in Gilly

As part of its video series dedicated to contemporary architecture in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, Wallonie-Bruxelles Architectures continues its collaboration with filmmaker Jonathan Ortegat. These short films highlight emblematic projects by architects from the Federation, exploring their approaches, ambitions and international reach.

Revitalising Place Destrée in Gilly

How can a fragmented town centre be transformed into a genuine place for encounter and collective life?

In this new video capsule, CENTRAL Office for Architecture and Urbanism looks back on the redevelopment of the Destrée district in Gilly, carried out in collaboration with Plant en Houtgoed and Greisch.

Located at the heart of this former industrial town, the site was previously characterised by a vast open-air car park and a series of public facilities that were poorly connected both to one another and to the public realm.

Following its selection as the winning proposal of EUROPAN 13, CENTRAL developed an urban vision grounded in the site's existing qualities and the dynamics already present within the neighbourhood.

The project is structured around three major interventions: the creation of an urban forest reconnecting different fragments of the city; the transformation of the former car park into a large public square capable of hosting both everyday activities and larger events; and the renovation of the sports complex, opened up to the public realm and complemented by a new pavilion dedicated to boxing and collective activities.

Alongside these key interventions, a series of smaller, targeted actions were implemented throughout the district. Conceived as a form of urban acupuncture, these interventions strengthen connections between existing buildings and spaces while revealing long-overlooked potentials.

In the video, the architects of CENTRAL discuss the ambitions behind the project, its implementation and the transformations it brings to the centre of Gilly.

Credits

🎥 Armelle Fouat — Camera assistant

✂️ Xavier Vincké — Editing

🎼 Loup Mormont — Original music

🎨 Jean Forest — Graphic design and animation

🎧 Jeanne Debarsy — Sound mixing

🎞️ Matteo Robert Morales / Lighthouse Labs — Colour grading

The video was directed by Jonathan Ortegat.

This capsule forms part of WBA’s ongoing initiative to promote the architecture of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation internationally, highlighting strong and distinctive contemporary practices.

A production by Auguri Films.