ZIN is the redevelopment of the former World Trade Center towers 1 and 2 in Brussels, Belgium. The project was developed by Befimmo and Open Minds; Drees & Sommer’s project page lists Befimmo S.A. as the client and gives the project duration as September 2017 to April 2023.1 The design involved Jaspers-Eyers Architects, 51N4E and l’AUC.23
The project reuses the two existing towers as a mixed-use complex. The project page describes a planned 110,000 square metres of offices, co-working spaces, apartments and hospitality services.1 The architects describe a broader programme that also includes retail, sports and public green spaces, with the towers connected by a new volume.23
Circular use of materials was a central project goal. The team inventoried most of the materials in the existing buildings and reused materials in the redevelopment, with certification in accordance with Cradle to Cradle standards.1 Drees & Sommer provided funded Cradle to Cradle consulting, including support for circular-economy specifications, identifying materials and solutions, demolition support and implementing a material passport.1 The material passport was intended to make information about the materials used in the project transparent.1