The new Brussels Architectural Adviser introduces himself at the Centre for Fine Arts
To mark his appointment as the first Architectural Adviser to the Brussels-Capital Region, BOZAR ARCHITECTURE has invited the architect Olivier Bastin to give a talk at the Brussels Centre for Fine Arts, where he will outline the work of his practice, L'Escaut. In its everyday work, L'Escaut takes a multidisciplinary approach to architecture, marked by an ongoing commitment to citizen participation, whether through consultation or involvement in architectural workshops.Over some twenty years, L'Escaut has been responsible for some of the key cultural buildings of Belgium's French-speaking Community (Communauté française), including the Théâtre National in Brussels (2004, in association with Architectes Associés and Gigogne), the Musée de la Photographie in Charleroi (1996, 2003, 2007, 2008), and the recently inaugurated Salle Culturelle in Soignies (in association with Weinand).The practice has been involved in the Maritime/Maritiem (2004) and Escaut-Meuse/Schelde-Maas (2005) local redevelopment projects (in association with MSA); it has also carried out the development of public spaces and designed housing, studios, and offices. In 2008 L'Escaut was selected to design the scenography of the Belgian pavilion at the Zaragoza International Exhibition. In his talk at the Centre for Fine Arts, Olivier Bastin will look back at twenty years of architectural practice, whose achievements have depended, above all, on interaction with all those involved.