Two projects led or coordinated by the SAU honoured at the Brussels Architecture Prize 2025

At the third edition of the Brussels Architecture Prize, held on 9 December 2025 at the Palace of Fine Arts in Brussels, architecture, innovation and urban transformation took centre stage. Among the laureates announced by the international jury, two projects in which the Urban Development Corporation (SAU/MSI) played a key role stood out in particular: Frame, winner in the Major Intervention category, and Usquare, awarded the People’s Choice Award by the public.

FRAME – a new showcase for Brussels’ media ecosystem

The Frame project, designed by the architecture firms BAUKUNST (Brussels) and BRUTHER (Paris), won the Major Intervention prize of the Brussels Architecture Prize 2025. Located at the corner of Boulevard Reyers and Colonel Bourg Street, this emblematic building is set to become the gateway to the future MediaPark, a district dedicated to the creative and media industries.

Architecturally, Frame stands out thanks to its innovative structure: a steel exoskeleton on the south façade and T-shaped concrete columns on the north façade free up generous floors offering exceptional flexibility. Circulation areas and technical systems have been positioned on the building’s perimeter, creating large, modular interior spaces filled with natural light.

The SAU, as the project owner, is proud to see this landmark building recognised. Frame reflects the Region’s ambition to strengthen Brussels’ role as a hub for cultural and creative industries.

The ULB-VUB university buildings at USQUARE – heritage for the future

The renovation, carried out by the teams at EVR-ARCHITECTEN, BC ARCHITECTS+STUDIES and CALLEBAUT ARCHITECTEN, received the People’s Choice Award of the Brussels Architecture Prize 2025, a distinction granted by the public. This project represents an exemplary approach to heritage renovation, where existing structures are respected and enhanced while meeting contemporary needs in education, research, community life and innovation.

The chosen approach places sustainability and circularity at the heart of the transformation process: reuse of materials available on site, recovery of bricks, glazing and other elements, use of bio-based materials, etc.

The public’s recognition confirms the project’s social, environmental and cultural importance and impact, highlighting the Region’s commitment to initiatives that reconcile heritage and innovation.

Two achievements, one shared vision

By rewarding Frame and Usquare, the Brussels Architecture Prize 2025 highlights the diversity of urban interventions supported by the SAU: from the construction of infrastructures fostering innovation to heritage renovations with strong social and environmental value. These achievements demonstrate the SAU’s commitment to promoting high-quality architecture that is open to the city and designed to address Brussels’ contemporary challenges.