The historic train station building in Wijgmaal has a new future following a comprehensive circular renovation. The heritage building from 1880, owned by the City of Leuven, has been officially completed. Morgenbouwers vzw and the City of Leuven have breathed new life into the property, respecting its historical character and emphasizing sustainable construction. Morgenbouwers vzw is establishing its new base here, and later, local residents and associations will also find a place, allowing the building to regain an active role in the neighborhood.
The restored station building now functions as a multifunctional meeting point and has been extended with a new building section for office space. The project aimed to balance heritage preservation, current regulations, and ambitious sustainability and circularity goals.
“"With this renovation, we are giving the iconic building a new future. The former station building stood empty for years, but now it has a purpose as a sustainable place where people can gather, work, and share knowledge. We are therefore particularly proud of the circular approach of this project, which maximized the reuse of materials and sustainable techniques."
Circularity was a central theme throughout the project, from the structural work to the finishes. Materials such as floor slabs, scaffolding wood for facade cladding, carpet tiles, skirting boards, and acoustic panels were reused. Techniques were designed for easy adaptation, disassembly, and reuse, demonstrating that heritage preservation and sustainability can go hand in hand.
The office space in the new extension is leased to Morgenbouwers vzw, a knowledge organization that advises on circular construction and has now implemented these principles itself. The ground floor features a meeting room for approximately forty people. The first and second floors house two meeting rooms, each for up to ten people, available to residents, associations, and organizations through a rental system.
“"We wanted to make the station building a vibrant place for the neighborhood again. Residents and associations will be able to use it for meetings, gatherings, and local activities. This way, this historic building regains its connecting role for the inhabitants of Wijgmaal."
The city will complete the interior finishing and surrounding area in the coming months. The square will receive a temporary high-quality setup while awaiting the realization of a tunnel under the railway. Following the final touches, an official opening will be organized by the city together with Morgenbouwers for local residents, partners, and interested parties.
For the restoration and expansion, the City of Leuven collaborated with various specialized partners: Morgenbouwers vzw (client), Archipelago (architecture), INREBO (contractor), Electro Corbeels (electrical installations), Kerremans Technics (heating, ventilation, sanitary), Engelen Ingenieurs (structural studies), Efika (technical installations), and 2BSAFE (safety coordination).
