Community Space in Anderlecht

Project: Community Space in Anderlecht
Architect: RESERVOIR A

Programme: The renovation of No. 4 Place Lemmens aims to create a vibrant and inclusive community space, open to residents and local initiatives. Designed to be flexible and adaptable, this new space hosts a variety of activities, including academic support, workshops, legal assistance, socio-professional integration, and cultural and civic events. Its architecture encourages interaction with the public space through a redesigned entrance, a multifunctional outdoor courtyard, and an openable façade that extends the space onto the square.

About: Place Lemmens is a neighborhood in transition, where social challenges, urban memory, and renewal dynamics intersect. The development of this community space represents a strategic intervention aimed at reshaping perceptions of the area by injecting new energy that fosters exchange and inclusion.
The project emphasizes a strong relationship between interior and exterior spaces. The existing façade has been redesigned: the former basket-handle archway is replaced by a larger, rectangular opening, reinforcing the connection between the space and the square. A prominent sign bearing the name "LEMMENS," reminiscent of a music hall entrance—a place of performance and light—marks the threshold. Foldable accordion glass panels allow for a fully open frontage, enabling indoor activities to spill into the public space, transforming the square into a stage for urban life.
Inside, the architecture adapts to diverse uses. Rigid partitions give way to translucent acoustic curtains, endlessly adjustable, playing with light to create an atmosphere reminiscent of a shadow theater. A mobile library runs the length of the wall, connecting spaces and activities without enclosing them.
Outside, a redesigned courtyard serves as a meeting place and activity space, extended by a food truck connected to the interior—an emblem of festivity and a hub for exchange during neighborhood events.
This project goes beyond architectural renovation; it is a space for social connection, a catalyst for interaction, reconfiguring the neighborhood by and for its residents.