The Usquare redevelopment project by the VUB and ULB has been nominated for one of Europe’s most prestigious architecture prizes: the EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture. The nomination concerns Usquare Feder, the initial large‑scale renovation phase of the former Fritz Toussaint gendarmerie barracks in Ixelles.
The EUmies Awards honour projects that excel in architectural quality, technical innovation and societal relevance. Usquare Feder stands out for its radical commitment to circular construction, its transformation of a historically closed site into an open urban space, and the creation of a new university research and residential district in the heart of Brussels. The project, designed by Callebaut Architecten, BC architects & studies, evr‑Architecten and VK architects+engineers, preserves heritage while integrating salvaged and bio‑based materials into a contemporary campus.
In recent years, Usquare has become a benchmark for urban regeneration. What was once an inaccessible police training complex is evolving into an open mixed neighbourhood with research facilities, housing for researchers and students, participatory science labs, public spaces and amenities for local residents.
The nomination aligns with a broader European trend: Belgian renovation projects continue to receive international acclaim. Usquare appears on the shortlist alongside two other Belgian contenders—ABBY in Kortrijk and Chapex in Charleroi.
The finalists will be announced on Thursday 5 February. The official prize ceremony will follow later in spring 2026.