A proposal to reactivate a former sugar  factory located on rue Manchester into an artistic and cultural productive centre, integrating a variety of programs that open towards the city, including a music venue, artist studios and residencies, public equipment for the neighborhood. The intention is to be part of the transformation process that the neighborhood is already experiencing and to be in dialogue with the existing formal and informal realities. To avoid the risk of gentrification, it is necessary to make the link with the socio-cultural and economic conditions, putting in place generous strategies towards the city, integrating functions that would create interaction (like building ateliers, cooking, cultural activities, education and animation for young people…). Within the process, participation is a necessary tool to assure the involvement of the inhabitants and a variety of audiences.

Located in Molenbeek, a former productive neighborhood in Brussels, the project aims to establish a dialogue with the “already-there”. It is possible to write a solid, enthusiastic and positive history based on the existing: to build with it. This is indeed a long-term sustainable solution for architecture. Moreover activating the two courtyards, new urban public space is provided, bringing openness in an extremely dense and built neighborhood.