Avenue Louise is counted among Brussels' most prestigious shopping streets. Yet the building "Le Président," erected in 1988, had begun to show its age. Union Investment opted for reimagining rather than rebuilding. YUGENING preserved the concrete skeleton while adding new volumes constructed in timber. GEVELINZICHT designed the ventilated façade with glass and Dekton Aeris by Cosentino.

"The Precedent" demonstrates exemplary revitalization—ecologically sound, economically viable, and architecturally compelling. Embodied gray energy is preserved and reused. Once-enclosed office layouts have been opened up and enhanced with stairs crafted from Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). These stairways do more than connect floors; they function as communication zones and identity-defining architectural elements.

The redesign aimed to combine minimal environmental impact with maximum user comfort. Energy and water consumption are regulated according to actual demand. The new curtain wall façade improves indoor climate quality while opening toward the street, allowing more natural light to flood the interior and framing views of Avenue Louise's urban greenery.
Lightweight façade with precise joint definition
The exterior envelope combines glass with Dekton in the soft limestone tone Aeris. Its ultra-compact, nearly pore-free surface—composed of sintered mineral particles—resists dirt and even graffiti adhesion. Panels measuring up to 336 x 167 cm are just 12 mm thick. An integrated fiberglass mesh enhances their bending strength and safety, ensuring no uncontrolled fracturing.

The Dekton panels are fastened to the substructure with concealed wedge anchors—invisible from the exterior. This creates an almost monolithic outer envelope with exceptionally precise joint definition. Dekton is carbon-neutral across its entire product lifecycle and comes with a 25-year warranty, underscoring the sustainability commitment at "The Precedent."

www.cosentino.com

Photography:
Philippe Piraux
www.philippepiraux.be