the Cube

project characteristics

The Cube is a state-of-the-art office project in the Brussels Airport district. It is a new benchmark for well-being in office ecosystems. A smart building that excels in energy efficiency, human-centered functions, water management and connectivity.

Located near the Brussels Ring Road (R0) and Zaventem airport, on the corner of a large-scale industrial area, this progressive office complex is surrounded by buildings of similar scale and functions. The building has an above-ground gross floor area of approximately 19,890 m², combined with more than 800 m² of terraces. The office spaces will be provided for internationally oriented companies that value connectivity and proximity to the airport. Consequently, The Cube is designed as a landmark building that enhances the international appearance of the region as the latter transforms from a classic workplace into a vibrant community, a place to stay and share.

The location of The Cube is very convenient in terms of transportation and connectivity to the city. This allows people to take maximum advantage of a diversified transportation network with bicycle highways and (new) tram lines. Those who come by bike have access to bike racks, showers, checkrooms and bike service facilities. These facilities are designed to activate employees and ensure optimal use of their transit time or break. The project location is also very interesting for people traveling by car.

The Cube is very close to the highway network around Brussels, making both the city center and the surrounding area easily accessible. There are 550 parking spaces provided for the users of The Cube. The design of the access and circulation plans takes into account the renewed configuration of the nearby crossroad in order to optimize the use of the surrounding space.

The Cube is conceived as a landmark for the surrounding area. The form of the building stems directly from the “less is more” principle. The simple cubic volume is subdivided and differentiated to give it a dynamic and modern look, which goes hand in hand with the futuristic nature of the building. Vertical and horizontal lines are intersected by diagonal lines, giving the impression that the building has been split in two by a lightning strike.

The facade follows these divisions and has a raised plinth at the level of the entrance. This creates a focus on these areas and accentuates the entrance to the building. People that pass by are triggered by this strategic architectural intervention to come and explore The Cube and thus participate in this “spatial dialogue at eye level”. This blurs the boundaries between the public domain and the collective interior space. The ground floor houses a variety of human-centered facilities such as a gym, restaurants and a food market that is also open to the general public.

The Cube welcomes people into a stimulating environment. The building’s design incorporates advanced solutions and innovations on several levels, culminating in smart offices and spaces that meet the needs of both the planet and tenants. Many efforts were made to design a building that forms its own ecosystem. By achieving the highest scores in BREEAM, WELL and DGNB The Cube is one of the most certified buildings in terms of sustainability. It is a carbon-neutral complex that ensures its tenants are connected as much as possible by following WIREDSCORE and SMARTSCORE standards.

The project includes not only the design and construction of a new building with underground parking, but also the demolition of the existing building on this site. The demolition was planned and executed according to the highest sustainability standards, including maximum reuse of the existing materials.

energy & certification

•  categories: low energy • passive • net zero energy (NZE)
• coefficients: K-peil • E-peil 44
• certifications: BREEAM Excellent, WELL Platinum, GDNB Gold, FITWELL, WIREDSCORE SMARTSCORE Gold, EU Taxonomy aligned, EDGE advanced & others