Brussels, 22 October 2025 – The first stone has been laid, marking the official kick-off for the major makeover of the Nekkersdal community centre in Laeken. The project combines a thorough renovation of the existing buildings with the construction of an entirely new library. The ambition? A sustainable and inclusive place with culture, encounter, play and support at its heart.
The official start took place in the presence, among others, of Cieltje Van Achter, Flemish Minister responsible for Brussels; Ans Persoons, VGC College member; Elke Van den Brandt, President of the VGC College; Anaïs Maes, Alderman for Urban Planning and Public Space; and Frederik Ceulemans, Alderman for Urban Renewal. Democo is carrying out the works as contractor within the Debuild construction team, together with OSK-AR architecten, ZAmpone Architectuur, atelier Arne Deruyter, BAS and HP Engineers.
What the project includes
The townhouse on Avenue Émile Bockstael will be fitted out as a reception area and café-bistro. The theatre shed will be preserved and converted, via a box-in-the-box concept, into a home for the Huis van het Kind (House of the Child), alongside a covered outdoor space for out-of-school care and events.
An old factory space will be completely stripped and reconfigured with rooms for childcare, meeting spaces, a teaching kitchen and a caretaker’s dwelling. Next to the existing sports hall, a brand-new theatre and events hall will seat around 160 people.
The library will get an entirely new three-storey building on Rue Gustave Schildknecht. The design provides for a dynamic operation with more room for children, autonomous opening hours and a strong presence in the street. Finally, an old stepped-gable building will be partially demolished and reimagined as a multifunctional “ruin”: a play landscape also suitable for small-scale events.
Sustainable and community-backed design
The whole site will feature a central, semi-public passageway between Avenue Émile Bockstael and Rue Gustave Schildknecht. This boosts accessibility and turns the inner area into a green, open space. Surfaces will be de-paved and greened as much as possible, with room for rest, play and meeting.
Heat will be provided by a shared heat pump, combined with solar panels. Existing buildings and materials will be preserved or reused wherever possible. No slick, anonymous new build, but a sustainable design that respects the site’s character.
This design didn’t happen by chance: an intensive participation process with neighbours and users preceded it. Their needs and ideas formed the basis of a plan focused on connection, multifunctionality and inclusion.
A future-ready building site
Not a classic building site, but a project mindful of the future and its surroundings. Democo builds in phases so the library stays open during the works. We safeguard safety on and around the site and keep disruption for the neighbourhood to a minimum.
Sustainability also takes shape on site. We reuse materials from the site itself or nearby projects: facing bricks, timber beams, cable trays, acoustic materials, outdoor paving… That saves resources and keeps the soul of the place alive.
“We are building value here. We limit the impact while preserving the character of the site. And at the same time, we build in and for the neighbourhood: tight phasing, safety, less nuisance. Care for today that turns into added value for tomorrow. Infrastructure and building systems for the next generations. It’s clear: as a team, we’re proud to make a difference here.” - Raf Houben, COO Democo Group
