| Type | New construction |
| Builder | Defense |
| Location | Evere |
| Architect | Assar Architects, ArtBuild and ANMA |
| Beginning of works | End of 2024 |
| Study Office Stability | VK Architects+Engineers |
| End of works | End of 2027 |
| Study Office Techniques | VK Architects+Engineers |
New Defense Headquarters
Defense is investing in a new operational headquarters that meets contemporary requirements in terms of functionality, safety, well-being and sustainability. The Design, Build & Maintain (DBM) contract was awarded for a total sum* of 499 million euros to the Be Defense group, which is responsible for the design, realization and technical maintenance of the infrastructure. The more compact New Headquarters will be located directly opposite NATO headquarters on a site of 11.4 hectares; partly on the site of the old NATO site and partly on the current Queen Elisabeth quarters.
Chief of Defense Admiral Hofman stressed, "Today the headquarters is spread over a dozen buildings, but tomorrow the General Staff will occupy only a single, more ecological and secure building, to better meet the challenges of the future."
The new high-security site with several buildings will accommodate nearly 4,000 employees. The main building itself consists mainly of the office environment with 2,800 workstations that will house all services of the Defense Staff, General Intelligence and Security Service (ADIV) and Cyber Command. The office environment with ample daylight will be designed according to the principles of the New Way of Working (NWOW). The environment will give an additional boost to inter-service cooperation.
All military operations will be directed from the main building. In addition, necessary personnel services such as a company restaurant, indoor sports area, changing rooms and showers will also be provided.
Modern conference center
In addition, a publicly accessible conference center will be provided, located on Leopold III avenue. This conference center will consist of one large 300-seat conference room and several smaller meeting rooms. There will also be a separate building with a nursery and an office environment for the Central Defense Social and Cultural Action Agency (CDSCA).
Sustainability
There is a very strong commitment to sustainability in all its aspects for this project. The building will be Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) and no more fossil fuels will be used for normal operation. The energy transition to a carbon-neutral and sustainable infrastructure, in accordance with the National Energy and Climate Plan (NEKP) is made possible by: high-performance thermal insulation, the use of renewable energy sources such as soil energy storage, solar panels and heat pumps.
Other sustainability aspects such as the use of sustainable materials, the reuse of rainwater and the reuse of decomposing materials as building materials were also incorporated into the design. The landscape design will significantly increase local biodiversity.
Global site development
The Be Defense grouping consists of the contractors BAM, Jan De Nul, Eiffage and Cegelec, the architects Assar Architects, ArtBuild and ANMA and the engineering firm VK Architects+Engineers.
Be Defense proclaimed, "We are extremely proud to have won this landmark project. Together with our construction partners, we are already looking forward to realize this new landmark in Brussels." The start of works is scheduled for the end of 2024 and most of it will be ready for use by the end of 2027. The project, carried out by Belgian companies, generates an important social return, primarily through job creation.
* initial investment and 2 years maintenance, renewable for an additional 8 years
