January 15, 2026 News
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Competitions · June 24, 2025
Sijsele: from former military site to dynamic community!
Located between Bruges and Ghent, and bordering the Ryckevelde forest – a protected natural area with historical landmarks – Sijsele presents a unique fusion of history and modernity. We were able to face this challenging project joining forces with META, BRUT, Bureau SLA, Van Roey Vastgoed, Miix, Hercull, and Infunctievan (renders).
Our competition proposal for reimagining Sijsele fuses the rich historical legacy of a former military industrial site with the dynamic demands of a vibrant, sustainable residential and mixed-use neighbourhood that welcomes residents, workers, and makers into a cohesive community.
Blending old and new
The challenge was to preserve the historical significance of the area, while integrating new spaces for living, working, and community engagement.
The core of our vision is to be able to stitch together and preserve the existing grid of military structures and the historical tree lines of the plan, in order to blend them together to respond to contemporary needs.
A collaborative masterplan
The masterplan is the result of extensive collaboration among architects, landscape designers, urban strategists and sustainability consultants. This integrative process has given rise to a diverse range of spaces, from commercial and co-working areas to public parks, community orchards, and recreational fields. Each element is designed to interact with the others: a robust network supporting various lifestyles and uses while preserving the former essence of the site.
Commitment to sustainability and resilience
Our design embraces integrated nature-based solutions that strengthen biodiversity, enhance water management, and promote circularity in both material use and energy. These solutions ensure that Sijsele remains an active, resilient neighbourhood where every element is interconnected.
Even though our submission finished in second place in the competition, this vision is a glimpse into a future where heritage and innovation coexist, paving the way for dynamic and active neighbourhoods.
Congratulations to B2Ai Brussel and their team for the winning proposal!
