Recycling Park in Jette, Brussels

A transformative eco-park redefining waste management and urban nature.

The Recycling Park in Jette, designed by Bovenbouw Architectuur, is an innovative response to the challenges of urban waste management and ecological sustainability. This project reimagines the conventional recycling park, integrating a garden and a give-away shop to promote reuse and community engagement. At its core, the park features a central square that organizes the main recycling area, complete with a sheltered unloading dock for efficient waste sorting and facilities for managing small waste fractions.

Strategically located between Jette’s residential areas and the green corridor of Tour & Taxis, the park serves as a vital link in the city’s ecological network. In an urban environment where green spaces are often fragmented, the Recycling Park aspires to create a serene and inviting atmosphere, fostering connections among users, including local residents, schools, and wildlife.

The design emphasizes biodiversity and sustainability, with an enclosed garden that nurtures both flora and fauna. It addresses the urban need for intimacy and hospitality, offering a refuge in nature while encouraging spontaneous human interactions. The layout is carefully crafted to enhance comfort and accessibility, featuring a give-away store and integrated drive-through lanes that balance logistical efficiency with a welcoming public space.

Radical reuse is a hallmark of the architecture, as the design builds upon the site’s industrial heritage. Existing structures are preserved and reinterpreted, using a blend of reclaimed and new materials such as prefabricated concrete, repurposed steel, timber, and reused bricks. This approach creates a tactile environment that reflects care and craftsmanship, transforming the perception of waste into potential.

The Recycling Park in Jette is not just a facility; it is an urban gesture that redefines waste management as a civic resource. By merging ecological values with community generosity, it elevates a utilitarian typology into a meaningful public space where efficiency meets intimacy and circularity becomes part of everyday life.

Design Highlights

• Integration of a garden and give-away shop to promote reuse.

• Central square organizing the recycling area with sheltered unloading dock.

• Designed as an eco-park that fosters biodiversity and urban nature.

• Enclosed garden providing a serene space for community interactions.

• Use of reclaimed and new materials to honor the site’s industrial past.

• Enhanced accessibility with integrated drive-through lanes for efficiency.

Key Facts