Opening of Kasterlinden

New educational infrastructure for vulnerable children in Brussels strengthens the capacity and quality of special education

Brussels, January 27, 2026 — Together with the Flemish Community Commission (VGC), we opened a brand-new building on the Kasterlinden campus in Sint-Agatha-Berchem on Tuesday, January 27. With this investment of 12.5 million euros, Kasterlinden BuBaO is significantly expanding its capacity for special primary education for children and young people with severe behavioral and emotional disorders. The new building also offers space for a Multifunctional Center for intensive guidance, day care, and accommodation for this vulnerable target group.

The new building is more than just an extra school building; it is a crucial lever for tackling the acute shortage of specialized Dutch-language education and care in Brussels. This new building will give the school the space to accommodate 50 pupils in type 3 education in the future. The investment in an MFC will also provide intensive support that complements or, where necessary, replaces the regular school program, always in consultation with the pupil, parents, the CLB, and the school team. Specialized education and intensive care guarantee optimal development and integration.

“Campus Kasterlinden is very close to our hearts,” says Wim Straetmans, managing director of BAM Belgium."We are very pleased that, with this expansion of the infrastructure we completed in 2015, we have been able to put our knowledge and expertise in educational projects at the service of young people who need a little extra help to find their place in society. Our teams will now continue with the maintenance work to ensure that these buildings remain high-quality learning platforms in the future."

Sustainable and future-oriented infrastructure

In terms of infrastructure, too, a decisive choice was made in favor of quality and sustainability. The extension was developed by Kairos and realized by BAM Interbuild, which was also responsible for the earlier infrastructure works on the campus in 2015. The building was constructed using sustainable and future-proof materials and equipped with energy-efficient solutions, including solar energy. The modular façade allows spaces to be easily adapted to changing needs in education and healthcare. Like the school, the building will continue to be maintained by BAM fm.

The building has three floors and houses not only classrooms for the elementary school, but also innovative sports facilities based on the Athletic Skills Model (ASM), which focuses on motor development, exercise, and creativity.

Architect Patrick Lootens, co-founder of POLO.platform, adds:“This building was designed with the future in mind. Well-considered architectural choices ensure flexibility, tranquility, and safety. The result is a robust yet warm environment, carefully integrated into the orchard and in line with the style of other buildings on campus.”

The total investment amounts to €12.25 million, of which €3.07 million is financed by the Flemish Community.