Atoma Art Center in Brussels in Belgium

This project involved the renovation of the 3,600 m2 former ATOMA factory in Brussels into a high-quality cultural and exhibition venue. The ambitious retrofit successfully blended the site's historical heritage with modern energy and comfort requirements through the use of biosourced materials.

Hero Materials

Hemp Blocks (IsoHemp): The primary hero material, used for approximately $800 \text{ m}^2$ of interior insulation. These blocks are a sustainable, $100\%$ natural material that provided a high-performance solution without damaging the existing structure.

HL Mix and Complementary Products: Used alongside the hemp blocks to ensure thermal continuity and durability of the assembly.

Sustainability Highlights

High-Quality Thermal and Moisture Regulation: The hemp block insulation drastically improved the building's energy efficiency. Its natural properties ensure optimal thermal comfort while maintaining hygrometric balance (moisture regulation), which is crucial for a healthy indoor environment and preserving the building fabric.

Optimized Acoustic Comfort: Beyond energy savings, the choice of hemp blocks significantly optimized acoustic insulation. This was a key requirement for successfully transforming the industrial space into a serene cultural and exhibition center.

Sustainable Heritage Integration: The project successfully demonstrated that a deep energy retrofit on a large-scale heritage structure can be achieved using sustainable and natural materials. The approach respected the existing structure while delivering modern performance and longevity.

Project Team

Architects: Gilles Dehareng of Urban Nation ArchitectsSCRL

Clients:

Contractor: Construnique

Technical Consultants:

Collaborators:

Suppliers/Manufacturers: IsoHemp (Hemp Blocks, HL Mix)

Year of Completion: 2024