RTBF Liège

Programme: The temporary company of architecture offices Archi 2000 (pilot) – BAG –Syntax has won the offer call from January 2007 from RTBF for the accomplishment of the real estate project for RTBF Liège within the “Mediacité” site, a major mall project. This new construction project involves roughly ± 12,000 m² surface on ground and is destined to welcome the cultural antenna of RTBF, with among other things a very large television studio (35mx35m).

About: The point of this project in the city of Liège was to acknowledge the visibility and presence of the RTBF. So we looked for a contemporary and sober architecture, yet very transparent. The other challenge was to integrate that building in the heart of the "Médiacité" mall, which presents a more recreational, ephemeral and fashionable architecture. We were often asked how we would converse with that building. The answer seemed quite simple to us as our mission was totally different: We had to underline the presence of the audiovisual public service in its region, so we wanted a more long-lasting architecture to symbolize the long term anchor of the RTBF in Liège. Part of the challenge was to centralize in a high-tech installation the biggest possible public broadcasting unit. In order to favor communication between the Media Group and its public, we positioned the upper part of the building – the offices – as a landmark in the City. The entirely glazed facades equipped with solar screens bring to the building a recognizable identity. On the Piazza side, protected from the boulevard nuisance, are grouped the functions which represent the dynamism of the TV Channels. The transparent entrance hall space stretches along the Piazza. It is a user-friendly space, but also a reception, communication and events place. Right above it you can find the emblematic redaction and the radio broadcast.