This transformation of the former Fnac building in Ghent restores and reinvents a brutalist masterpiece by Léon Stynen and Paul De Meyer. Originally built in the early 1960s, the structure challenged its time with an expressive concrete grid and open façades. The building was reimagined for contemporary use, creating a vibrant blend of retail and office spaces. Two lightweight rooftop extensions, crafted in steel and timber, reinterpret the original concrete language with a refined, modern sensibility.
Throughout the project, respect for the building’s DNA remained paramount. Later alterations were removed, reinstating the clarity of Stynen’s vision. Original columns once hidden are now celebrated, while two new atria draw daylight into the heart of the structure, enhancing spatial quality and circulation.
The design embraces a symbiotic relationship between old and new: new interventions are unmistakably contemporary yet deeply rooted in the spirit of the original architecture. By combining robust restoration with thoughtful additions, the project repositions this brutalist landmark for a new era of urban life as a living homage to the pioneering spirit of Léon Stynen.
Bio aNNo is a team of (restoration) architects and interior designers united by the passion for built heritage. Our mission is to make existing buildings futueproof. aNNo distinguishes itself from other firms by its focus on design research. It's not only about the restoration of matter, it's about giving the building a new place in its social context and society. The architectural design starts from the analysis of the existing. aNNo assumes a constructive yet critical attitude towards the heritage value. We look for the memory of the place. We don't use heritage as a label but as a quality.
Other prizes 2017: Publica Awards; project ‘Batterij Aachen’ (nomination) 2019: BIS Architectuurwedstrijd; project ‘Hof ter Beemt’ (laureate) 2019: Architectuurprijs Leuven; project ‘Hoekhuis O’ (nomination) 2019: Onroerend erfgoedprijs (heritage award); project ‘Hof ter Beemt’ (laureate) 2020: DEZEEN Awards; project ‘Batterij Aachen’ longlisted for small building award 2020: Built environment Cabe Award; project ‘Douaneloods Essen’ (laureate) 2022: Belgian Building Award: project ‘Douaneloods Essen’ (nomination) 2022: European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards; project ‘Batterij Aachen’ (laureate) 2023: European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards; project 'Klooster Meer' (winner) 2023: Built Design Award: Architectural Design - Heritage; project 'Chapel Robiano' (winner) 2024: Built Design Award: Architectural Design - Heritage; project 'Sint-Michielskerk' (honorable mention)
