The Heizel Park in the north of Brussels will be transformed, becoming a new sports park as well as a city park. Its beating heart is a multifunctional building that is now being renovated and expanded. With organic, rounded shapes and a green roof, the building elegantly fits into the contours of the irregular terrain. Architectural studio ZJA has produced the design in collaboration with Omgeving landscape architects and consultancy Atelier Ruimtelijk Advies. The new sports complex will seamlessly integrate new sports facilities and public parkland into the rolling landscape of the Heizel Park.

ZJA aimed to design a sports complex that would merge into the landscape, forming an integrated whole with the structure of the paths and the undulating terrain. And to give the buildings a distinctly rounded, organic shape. The light and transparent structures of steel and glass and the green roofs enable the inviting sports complex to merge harmoniously into the surrounding landscape.

City park with a multifunctional sports complex

The Heizel Park will soon be the home base of three major sports clusters for athletics, hockey and rugby. The multifunctional building at the centre of the park will accommodate offices and include extensive sports facilities, including a shooting range for the Royal Belgian Archery federation, a multi-sports hall and changing rooms for sports-loving people who come to the park. 

There will also be a Grand Café with a delightful view of the surroundings. The complex will therefore offer a varied and multifaceted experience to both sportspeople and park visitors. Underneath will be parking facilities for both cars and bicycles.

Sustainable water management in new sports park

Like other cities, Brussels is faced with a water storage problem. A cleverly designed system means that the new sports park will contribute to a solution for water management. Rainwater will cascade into an underground water storage facility, a system that is not only sustainable but advantageous for both nature and the experiential value of the park. The water will be used to irrigate the park itself and other locations nearby.

Green oasis in the city

The new sports park in the Heizel Park will soon be more than just a sports facility. It will be a green attraction in the heart of the city. With a huge water surface, the largest in Europe, a playground for children and a calisthenics zone, the park will be a meeting place for both sports lovers and families. Extensive planting with native vegetation will enable city residents and visitors to find cool shade, peace and relaxation in this richly varied park.

An inspiring destination for both sports enthusiasts and nature lovers, and an asset to the city of Brussels.