From brutalist icon to future-oriented workplace

In the heart of Ghent, at Veldstraat 88, the former Fnac building underwent a dramatic transformation. What was once a distinctly Brutalist landmark from 1965, designed by Léon Stynen and Paul De Meyer, has been given a new lease on life as "Léon" : 2,500 m² of ultramodern office space, respecting its modernist heritage.

Together with aNNo Architects and HP Engineering, Verstraete.team achieved a technical and logistical feat. Here are five insights behind this forward-thinking renovation in Ghent's city center.

Building above an open shop: maximum continuity, minimum impact

While the upper floors were completely stripped down to their skeleton, the Nike Store on the ground floor remained operational. This meant building above active retail—without disruption.

Watertightness, vibration control, and logistical precision were crucial. Due to the limited space in the city center, a tower crane was installed in the shaft of the former freight elevator, constructed via the narrow Ajuinlei. A prime example of urban site organization.

BIM and the 'digital twin': complete control over complexity

As a Class 8 contractor, Verstraete.team combines five generations of craftsmanship with advanced digital construction techniques. For the Léon project, the entire process was developed using Building Information Modeling (BIM) .

The result: a digital copy of the building, a 'digital twin', which not only contained 3D models, but also real-time insights into planning, budget and progress.

This data-driven approach ensured transparent collaboration, predictability in implementation and optimal risk management.

Lightweight topping up: two additional floors without additional foundation pressure

The ambition to add two additional floors ran into a classic renovation problem: existing foundations are rarely designed for additional loads.

The solution? A hybrid lightweight structure with steel columns, wooden beams, timber-frame walls, and aerated concrete. Smart material choices drastically reduced the weight without sacrificing load-bearing capacity.

The Léon project thus proves that topping up in an urban context is perfectly possible, provided that technically well-thought-out engineering is used.

Circular facade restoration: heritage as raw material

The iconic concrete facade panels (1x1 m) were carefully cleaned, repaired, and re-anchored with stainless steel rods. Damaged elements were replaced with reclaimed panels from the former technical floor.

For the new floors, an insulating decorative plaster was applied with milled joints, subtly referencing the original concrete rhythm.

For terraces and courtyards, thermally treated wood (Thermo Fraké) was chosen, a sustainable solution with a lifespan of more than 50 years.

The result: a building that retains its brutalist identity and is energetically ready for the future.

More light, more air, more city

Where the original building felt closed and massive, Léon now opens up to the city. Strategic openings in the reinforced concrete floors create patios and a central skylight that bring daylight deep into the office spaces.

From the third floor, a panoramic view of the Ghent skyline unfolds. Raw concrete, warm wood accents, and generous windows create a work environment that is both historically rooted and future-oriented.

A blueprint for urban densification

With its shell completion at the end of 2024, Léon stands like a modern-day phoenix on Veldstraat. This project demonstrates how renovation, top-up, and repurposing of existing buildings offer a sustainable alternative to new construction.

Instead of demolishing and replacing, we choose to strengthen and refine.

Project Léon proves that brutalist architecture from the 1960s hasn't reached the end of its life cycle—but the beginning of a new chapter.