BC architects & studies

A few images from the Material Acts exhibition at Craft Contemporary () in Los Angeles.

Photography Craft Contemporary/Marc Walker

There are a number of principles behind the word 'reuse'. For the Paoli project, several of these have been applied not only to the building itself, but also to the design of the furniture.

The furniture, which is still under development, is being created using three different approaches to reuse: using second-hand furniture with minor modifications, reusing construction waste such as wood offcuts, and upcycling existing elements on site, such as turning old doors into tables.

We’re excited to share that the Woodstock project has been nominated for the Vernacular Architecture category by the Rotthier Prize () !

For the occasion, our project, alongside others from various architecture offices, will be on display at "La Loge" in Brussels from October 26 to November 10, 2024, and at the "Béguinage de Bruges" from October 26 to November 4, 2024.

We hope to see you there!

We have been invited to participate in the 2024 Tallinn Architecture Biennale (), where we will present two films directed by Alexandre Humbert as part of an installation entitled Networks, Not Products: A Dialogue of Projects. The films trace the development of two key projects for us: Lot8, a collaboration between Atelier Luma (an initiative of ) and , and Wood, Stone, Earth.

The installation highlights how resources form the foundation of architecture and shape the practices of architects, craftsmen and material producers. These projects serve as prototypes, exploring bioregions and their interconnected building cultures. Through our work, we aim to demonstrate how the integration of local resources into construction can drive systemic change, paving the way for a more sustainable and regionally focused building culture.

To achieve this, we need to build and strengthen the networks that support these efforts. In doing so, we (re)discover the potential of these resources, taking into account the bioregion, the human actors, the economic realities and the wider societal context. The installation reflects our exploration of how these elements can be harnessed to transform the future of building.

Images for the movies

Usquare will be featured in the exhibition ‘Soft Power – The Brussels Way of Making the City’ at SAM - BASEL, which explores Belgium’s evolution into a global hotspot for contemporary architecture and urban planning. This exhibition highlights the framework conditions that have fostered a high-quality building culture in Brussels and inspired a new generation of architects to engage in urban development, significantly aided by the Bouwmeester Maître Architecte (BMA - ). The BMA’s primary tool, competitions, have facilitated a transparent market for architecture, urban planning, and public space, enhancing project quality and, ultimately, the city itself. Usquare is proudly showcased as one of ten BMA projects in this context.

Usquare a project in collaboration with




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In one of the smallest houses in the Antwerp region, it wasn't the brightness of white that was chosen, but the warmth of velvet red. And yet it's always light that beautifully highlights the spaces in the house.

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In the street of the shepherdess (Herderin), the house of the sheep cannot be missed with its beautiful red velvet color, nestled in the shade of a large tree that invites passers-by to sit and rest on its bench.

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What if architects became builders from the ground up?

"The Architect Changemaker" studio challenges students to rethink architecture by getting hands-on with materials and techniques. This year, the studio will take place at the Grès du Bois d'Anthisnes sandstone quarry, where students will explore circular material flows and develop new geo-sourced building systems.
Guided by @bcmaterials_org and BC architects&studies, they'll transform the quarry's resources into functional building materials.

Stay tuned to see what students are making this year.

The Woodstock project is progressing smoothly and we expect it to be fully completed in two months. For now, the green leaves of the trees hide the building, but when the project is completed, the house will be visible and will blend in perfectly with the orange shades of fall.

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Bricks, bluestone plinths, tiles, windows and windowsills were given new life.

By deconstructing one of the Usquare buildings, we not only created a new passageway, opening up the block to the street, but above all we recovered a mine of materials.

From these materials emerged the brick towers and access stairs, the floors with window sills, the interior windows of the apartments, the stone skirting boards supporting the h**p concrete walls, and much more...

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1
2 Sander Lambrix

In collaboration with our friends and colleagues , ,

Imagine finding hidden gems in the most unexpected places : rural-mining. Our new project takes this idea to heart as we approach the renovation of a modest rural home. But instead of reaching for the wrecking ball, we’re embracing a gentler, more thoughtful method: deconstruction. This isn't just about slowing down the demolition process—it's about turning the house into a treasure trove of reusable materials.

Deconstruction allows us to carefully dismantle the house, preserving valuable resources that would otherwise end up in a landfill. From reclaimed wood to vintage fixtures, every part of the old structure has the potential to breathe new life into the next build. This approach echoes the concept of urban mining, where cities are seen as vast sources of materials ready to be repurposed. But we’re proving that even in a quiet, rural setting, there’s plenty to discover and reuse.

In the end, this project is about more than just a single house—it’s a step toward a more sustainable and resourceful future, where every building, regardless of size or location, holds the potential to contribute to a resilient planet.

Refurbishing the Paoli clinic in Arles is more than just a renovation; it’s a continuation of a journey started years ago. This project allows us to refine our techniques, deepen our knowledge, and strengthen our bonds with the talented local craftsmen and contractors who bring these visions to life.

In the commons of the Paoli clinic, compressed earth blocks crafted from leftover quarry waste from the Lot 8 project create a unique separation between the servant spaces and the main area. These blocks are complemented by limestone from the nearby Fontvieille quarry, adding a touch of local heritage.

The BC team is preparing for next week’s summer workshop. We’re looking forward to welcoming 35 people from around the world who are interested in geo- and bio-sourced materials. It should be an insightful and engaging week ahead.

Building as a resource is a concept close to our hearts, even if it's not always easy to be as radical as we'd like. Sometimes the amount of waste is daunting, and cultural barriers make reuse difficult. This was the case with this project, where we had to fight for the installation of reused plumbing fixtures, which will ultimately only be used on the first floor of the building.

Often, the infrastructure is not suited to the small-scale reuse that we envision. It's difficult to crush a limited amount of demolition waste for reuse in mortar, plaster, concrete flooring or roof gravel. Still, we managed to salvage what we could: ceramic sinks, lamps, flooring, and suspended ceilings, which we will turn into new furniture.

This journey isn't just about renovating a building; it's about pushing boundaries, learning, and making the most of what we have, despite the obstacles.

Mixing wood and light - The process of realizing the Woodstock project is still full of surprises.

It all began with the wooden structure, where we envisioned hanging lights between the beams. But these weren't just any lights. We commissioned a skilled craftsman to create them from scratch, designing both the bulbs and the wooden supports. The result? Delicate drops of light that seem to emanate from the beams.

These luminous droplets are made from oak wood that has been smoked through an ammonia v***r ev***ration process.

Experimenting with different intensities, temperatures and bulb shapes, we are now in the final stages of prototype development. Soon, the entire house will be illuminated by these exquisite, handcrafted lights, blending the surrounding wood with the soft glow of light.

The Woodstock house didn't get its name out of nowhere. From the frame to the smallest detail of the joinery, everything has a story.

Unlike most flooring manufacturers who have their own forests or wood suppliers, we started with the wood itself. We ventured into the Belgian timber stockpile and found some beautiful larch.

Using these Belgian larches, we turned them into parquet planks. Each plank was cut to the impressive length of 8 meters and width of 40 cm, making them as long as the width of the Woodstock house. These planks became the basis for the unique wooden floor.

All that remains is to install it

Behind the former Paoli Clinic, on the site of an older building, stands a new wooden pavilion. Designed to be a community activity center, this pavilion will blend in perfectly with the surrounding garden. Imagine a structure made of sturdy oak beams and an exterior landscaped with the finest cypress from the Alpilles and Luberon regions. Rely on traditional carpentry skills and techniques such as dovetail joints, half leather joints, and mortise and tenon joints.

Metal joints are kept to a minimum, allowing the natural beauty and strength of the wood to shine through. This pavilion is more than a building; it's a testament to the enduring art of woodworking.

“Begin with the end in mind”, meet the U clip
One of the strategies that enables the effective reclamation of building components is to use these components in applications that are less and less demanding, such as reusing exterior glazing for interior purposes. This is called ‘cascade use’. (FCRBE FutuREuse)
And so we did at Usquare, to renovate the historical buildings energetically, all glazing needed to be replaced with higher-performance glazing. This operation generated a mountain of glazing, most of which could be reused in the project's glazed interior walls. After an extensive inventory, the old glazing was dismantled and carefully stored. Based on the existing dimensions, a wall system was developed to match the glazing. By using specially designed and developed clips – the so-called U clip - the wall panels can be fixed without screws so that the panels remain undamaged and can be reused.
Photography by Farah Fervel (1) and stills from the Usquare video by Thomas Noceto & Cinzia Romanin (2+3) Emile Deroose (5-7)
In collaboration with our friends and colleagues evr-architecten,
Callebaut Architecten , VK architects and engineers

Feder-Efro