Heritage Days | Visit VUB's Renaat Braem building

To mark the Brussels-Capital Region’s Heritage Days, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the Centre for Academic and Secular Archives (CAVA) invite you on a guided tour of VUB’s iconic rectorate building, designed by Belgian architect Renaat Braem.

This year’s Heritage Days centre on the theme ‘Our Landscape, Our Legacy’. Coordinated by urban.brussels, Heritage Days invite you to explore Brussels through its many landscapes: built, natural, social and everyday landscapes, as well as its landmarks and panoramic views. The programme explores how architecture, public spaces, infrastructure, residents and the ways in which we use the city shape our perception of Brussels, and how these landscapes have evolved over time.

VUB programme

‘The Cigar’, ‘Caprice des Dieux’, ‘Building M’ or simply ‘the Braem’: over the past half-century, VUB’s iconic Rectorate Building has acquired quite a collection of nicknames. Discover how modernist architect Renaat Braem came up with its striking elliptical shape. Step beneath the sculptural canopy into the colourful entrance hall, climb the sweeping – and once again elliptical – spiral staircase, follow the colourful murals painted by Braem himself, and make your way up to ‘wisdom’ – an owl! – on the fifth floor. Following the building’s restoration, you can now also enjoy sweeping views of the campus from the rooftop terrace.

The full programme and registrations will be available in the first week of September.