FEBE AWARDS Mobility Hub

Names – November 27, 2025

The Mobility Hub project wins the Precast in Buildings Award 2025

When approaching Mechelen from the northwest, a new landmark appears along one of the main access roads that immediately catches the eye. This mobility hub, designed by POLO platform in collaboration with Archipelago, forms a contemporary gateway to the city. It not only marks the beginning of a new residential area, but also embodies a future in which buildings evolve as flexible structures, designed for change and reuse.

Today, the building combines shops, offices, and more than five hundred parking spaces. Thanks to its smart shell, with extra floor height and an ingenious split-level system, it is ready for new uses. It can easily adapt to changing needs in terms of mobility, living, or working. In this way, the hub grows along with the city.

The strength of the design lies in the prefab concrete support structure. The striking X-grid forms both the facade and the structure. Here, structure truly is architecture. Prefab concrete makes construction faster and more precise, limits disruption, and guarantees sustainable quality. The robust elements not only give the whole structure strength, but also a recognizable elegance.

The mobility hub encourages motorists to switch to more sustainable transport and experience Mechelen in a new way. It is more than just a building: it is an urban landmark that radiates progress, connection, and trust.

The Mobility Hub is not only an example of architectural innovation, but also of social relevance: the building represents a future in which buildings are designed as adaptable containers, ready for future functional flexibility.

The jury is enthusiastic about the fact that prefabricated concrete elements play a key role in this. The entire supporting structure of the building, including the facade, is constructed from prefab concrete elements in a striking X pattern.

This diagrid structure not only forms the architectural face of the building, but also allows for a column-free interior. Thanks to this construction strategy, the interior volume remains completely flexible in terms of layout, making it easy to repurpose in the future as office space, an event hall, or other public functions.

The use of prefab concrete enhances the robustness and lifespan of the building. The high-quality materials and well-thought-out composition of the shell ensure that the Mobility Hub can withstand intensive use and changing needs over time. –Jury FEBE Awards.