The ICÔNE office building by Foster + Partners is now open in Belval, Luxembourg. The 18,800-square-foot office space is bright and green, inspiring employees to work together. The design considers the growing demand for more flexible and secure workplaces. In addition to revitalizing the land and its surroundings, it pays homage to Belval’s illustrious industrial history. A BREEAM Excellent rating is the goal for this project.
©Nigel Young
ICÔNE is located in Belval, a new city quarter combining research, education, leisure, and commerce. The scheme relates to the scale of neighboring buildings and addresses the different characteristics of the surrounding streets. Its entrances are articulated differently in response to Porte de France, the main urban road to the west, and the Place de l’Académie to the East. New shops, cafés, and restaurants will bring life to these entrance elevations at pedestrian level. ©Nigel Young
ICÔNE Concept
ICÔNE, designed in collaboration with a local firm, BFF architects, features two wings that wrap around an atrium and an orthogonal roof that draws attention to the building’s structural grid and gives it an air of industrial sophistication. The dramatic scene unfolds before you begin, ending with the historical and monumental Belval blast furnace.
©Nigel Young
In sharp contrast to the rigid appearance, the interior is open and free-flowing. The dramatic arrival sequence is made possible by the atrium’s terrac...