Gebruiker:MichaelHolemans/Kladblok

The CBR Building is one of Brussels most prominent pieces of New Brutalist architecture, designed by leading architect Constantin Brodzki and Marcel Lambrichs.

Constructed in 1967-1970 it is, to this day, a very innovative design and remarkable for its great attention to detail and its prefabricated concrete structure.

Constantin Brodzki

Constantin Brodzki, born and raised in Italy by his Belgian mother and Polish father, moved to Belgium before the second world war. After finishing his graduation at La Cambre, he travelled to the United States where he worked on the United Nations HQ for 6 months. With a design board that included big players like Niemeyer and Le Corbusier, he had the opportunity to learn a lot by working on, at that time, the most modern building in the world.

It’s during this period that he picked up the pragmatic way of working he brought back to Belgium, which he, to his own disappointment, couldn’t apply there for another 10 years, as the US was far ahead in building technologies. This manner of working included the developing of plan after plan, fine-tuning each stage of a building, which Brodzki described is in big contrast with how Europeans tend to start construction. “The most important thing I learned in the US is that when they start to work on something, they begin with the idea that they don’t know everything, but want to find out,” Brodzki smiles. “In Belgium, they start work assuming they know it all.”

The CBR building is by far his most popular realisation in which he has showcased this knowledge and means of construction. However there are more important buildings he has erected, such as the Cinematiek in Brussels (1976), the Swift I (1980-1983) and the Swift II (1984-1988).

Revolutionary design

Brodzki was inspired by Antonio Gaudi, known for his revolutionary way of working with reinforced concrete, sculpting it in impressive and ground breaking organic shapes. In the 1970’s most architects saw concrete solely as a shell material. Brodzki wanted to replicate the formal freedom displayed by Victor Horta, but by using prefabricated concrete modules.

It took him years, in cooperation with CBR and two Portuguese brothers, to be able to craft concrete prefab panels in fluid shapes. They started by producing dozens of models from the module which, once perfected, was used to create a mould in epoxy. This was the most strenuous task of the build, as once the 756 modules were produced, the construction sped up dramatically.

The sculptural forms, unusual for office buildings at the time, gave rise to a new current in Belgian architecture, and the CBR building’s characteristics were emulated by dozens in Brussels during the following decades.

Location

The CBR buildings interior as well as exterior are highly regarded by many architects, but so are its surrounding gardens. The landscape surrounding the building was created by René Pechère, a well known Belgian landscape architect. Some of his famous works include the gardens of the Expo 58, the Parisian world expo in 1937, the upper part of the Botinical Garden of Brussels, Kunstberg and more. His work is still visible around the building, surrounding it by a vibrant green landscape.

When looking at the bigger context the CBR is adjacent to the well known Sonian Forest and 10 minutes away from Avenue Louise connecting the city center.

The surrounding buildings are exclusively dedicated to real estate architecture, strictly distinguished from the resident neighbourhoods further located. Although employees seem to enjoy working in the green environment surrounding the CBR building, one could describe the neighbourhood as a desolate hyper-reality. The office scenery is divided by the two large roads that cross in the middle, bringing in a constant flow of traffic and only three minutes of walking from the CBR you will find a train station for the commuters from and to work.

All these elements create a tension in the area - the beautiful gardens by Pechère and the forest versus the constant flow of traffic and commuters. Walking along these streets isn’t enjoyable to most, the gardens mostly show their value when you’re in one of the beautiful buildings, distanced from the noise and traffic. At night the setting of the CBR building becomes a wasteland, as no there is no reason to be there beyond working hours.

Occupation

The construction, lead by Brodzki and assisted by Marcel Lambrichs, started in 1967 to become the new headquarters for the CBR cement company. Being one of the leading companies in their field, they still produce and sell a large assortment of cements for construction in Brussels. The CBR building had to be be a demonstration of their knowledge and abilities, in which they definitely succeeded, as the building was revolutionary for its time and up until this day still a hallmark for modular building with concrete.

In 2017 the CBR was forced to move their headquarters, as the building was no longer up to their standards. After being vacant for a couple of years the co-working company Fosbury & Sons, founded by Stijn Geeraerts, Maarten Van Gool and Serge Hannecart, saw their opportunity and occupied the building to create a new co-working space.

Now the building is often used for public lectures and events as it accommodates a small auditorium, a restaurant, a bar and even a small club.

Renovation

When in 2017 the CBR moved their headquarters, many were concerned that the building would be demolished after it was vacated, resulting in 25 architects creating a petition - an outcry to preserve the building. But even after the minister of Brussels Rudi Vervoort assured an optimal preservation of the building and the CBR was registered in the list of protected heritage in Brussels, not everyone was keen to hear that Fosbury and Sons would now occupy and renovate the building.

As the new company was planning to bring the technics up to standard and add modern elements, it was the interior of the building most were worried about. The CBR building is known for its beautiful exterior facade, however the interior is as much of a masterpiece.

Each material, detail and finish is chosen by Brodzki himself, even the buttons on the elevator! Some of the furniture he even designed himself, in collaboration with his friend and neighbour, Jules Wabbes - a famous Belgian interior architect.

Brodzki, being 93 years old, was still vocally uneasy with the renovation. “To be honest, I’m scared of the future of my CBR building. The owner is an investment group that also bought my SWIFT building back in the day, which they massacred completely.” Now, one year later, we can confidently say the renovation happened with respect for the existing architecture. The original wooden cabinets have been disassembled, renovated and reinstalled - the beautiful concert staircase with its ingenious handrail have been renovated as well. Most of the other original pieces such as the built-in units, authentic door handles, radiator caps, wooden window casings, etc... have all been preserved. More modern additions have been added keeping in mind the original materials, as to not disrupt the architectural unity.

Publications

The building has been quoted in many publications, but its biggest achievement was being included in the 1979 MoMA exhibition - ‘Transformations in Modern Architecture between 1960 and 1980’. The CBR building was the only Belgian project selected for this exhibition and celebrated for its innovative architecture, setting a precedent in expressive facades using prefabricated concrete modules.

{{Citeer web |url=https://www.wallpaper.com/architecture/new-brutalism-constantin-brodzki-cbr-hq-renovation-fosbury-sons-brussels |titel=NEW BRUTALISM

IN BRUSSELS |auteur=Siska Lyssens, als hij erbij staat |uitgever=Wallpaper* |datum=88 Juni 2018 |bezochtdatum=21 April 2020 }}

{{Citeer web |url=https://docomomo.be/building/immeuble-cbr/ |titel=BELGIAN MOMO HERITAGE IN DANGER |auteur=Serge Brison |uitgever=Docomomo |bezochtdatum=21 april 2020 }}

{{Citeer web |url=https://docomomo.be/4961-2/ |titel=CBR Protected building |uitgever=Docomomo |datum=7 November 2016 |bezochtdatum=21 april 2020 }}

{{Citeer web |url=https://www.bruzz.be/samenleving/duizenden-ondertekenen-petitie-om-cbr-gebouw-te-redden-2018-06-10 |titel=Thousands sign petition to save the CBR Building |uitgever=Bruzz |datum=10 Juni 2018 |bezochtdatum=21 april 2020 }}

{{Citeer web |url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20180516_03515418 |titel=Fosbury and Sons settle in Brussels |uitgever=De Standaard |datum=16 Mei 2018 |bezochtdatum=21 april 2020 }}

{{Citeer web |url=https://www.tijd.be/sabato/design/iconisch-brussels-kantoorgebouw-krijgt-make-over/10010377.html |titel=Iconic Office in Brussels gets make-over |auteur=THIJS DEMEULEMEESTER |uitgever=De Tijd |datum=9 Mei 2018 |bezochtdatum=21 april 2020 }}

{{Citeer web |url=https://www.cbr.be/nld/node/9376 |titel=The CBR Headquarters participate in Monument day |uitgever=CBR |datum=10 September 2015 |bezochtdatum=21 april 2020 }}