The jury elected Architecture Workroom Brussels for the ‘positive and contagious energy with which they bring together citizens, governments and entrepreneurs to work on qualitative changes.’ By winning the Pioneer Award 2023, we are following the footsteps of other inspiring organisations and practices such as RE-ST, Vlaanderen Circulair and BC materials.

We are honoured and grateful to have received an acknowledgement like this within the context of the broader architectural industry and building sector. It shows that the impact on the daily practice of designing and building of the living environment, as we are striving towards according to our mission, is being valued.

We mainly see this prize as a stimulant for our team to keep on innovating, for putting the urgent transitions on the public agenda and letting these land through projects that we think are necessary.

Needless to say, we could not have received an acknowledgement like this without the engagement and involvement of all current and former Architecture Workroom collaborators, as well as the support of all (former) members of the board of directors. We consider ourselves as a workroom for collective intelligence, powered by our team members and external partners – this award therefore is a collective one, for everyone that contributed to AWB. Thank you for pioneering!

Within the framework of the Belgian Building Awards, Palindroom/Architecture published a podcast. Hanne Mangelschots engages in a conversation with Maarten Vanbelle (Atelier Vens Vanbelle) and Joost Raes (Carton 123), with considerations on housing quality in terraced houses, intergenerational living in allotments, (collective) renovation, living in an urban environment, and mixed use.