GO! Academy of Fine Arts and Atheneum

The design for the GO! Academy of Fine Arts and Atheneum in Anderlecht does not start from a blank slate, but builds on the distinctive qualities already present on the site. Following an As Found approach, the existing heritage is embraced as a rich foundation for a new and vibrant educational campus. Valuable buildings, structures and traces are preserved and reinforced; elements are carefully removed only where necessary, with new additions introduced strategically. Through a limited number of interventions, the design achieves maximum spatial impact.

The strength of the proposal lies in its combination of preservation, clarity and a future-oriented approach. Compact new volumes and a smart reorganisation bring daylight and fresh air deep into the site, while freeing up space for greenery, interaction and outdoor work. Two clear axes structure the campus and separate public circulation from logistics, making a complex site intuitive and easy to navigate.

The Academy and Atheneum each retain a distinct identity while being deliberately interwoven. The new intermediate structure acts as a hinge between the two: studios, learning landscapes, terraces and circulation spaces encourage spontaneous encounters and exchange without forcing them. At the same time, the largely paved inner site is transformed into a green, climate-resilient campus, where gardens, squares, studios and heritage come together as one vibrant ensemble.

Rather than presenting a fixed end state, the design provides a robust and flexible framework that can evolve with its users: a generous place for art, learning, making and meeting, firmly rooted in the heart of Anderlecht.