Place du Châtelain in Ixelles: A green and climate-resilient neighborhood square

The ambition for Place du Châtelain was significant: transforming a largely paved parking area into an attractive public space where greenery, recreation, water management, and the weekly market coexist in harmony. To achieve this, 126 parking spaces had to make way for a square that once again provides room for social interaction, relaxation, and cooling.

For Antea Group, the challenge was to translate this design vision into a technically feasible project in collaboration with Taktyk. This required balancing a variety of constraints, ranging from stormwater infiltration and climate adaptation to a complex underground network of utility lines and the practical requirements of the weekly market.

At the same time, climate resilience was a key priority. Increasing permeable surfaces, creating additional opportunities for stormwater infiltration, and providing natural cooling were fundamental principles guiding the redevelopment of this urban space.

Together with its partners, Antea Group supported the project from concept through completion. Our experts were responsible for translating the design into construction plans, preparing the technical specifications and bill of quantities, and overseeing the entire construction process. We also carried out the water study, including sizing the required stormwater storage capacity.

One of the project's greatest technical challenges was the installation of infiltration channels in a subsurface crossed by numerous utility lines. Through meticulous technical planning and continuous coordination during construction, the project team successfully overcame this obstacle.

The result is a future-ready public square where stormwater management, public space quality, and climate adaptation go hand in hand. The former parking lot has been transformed into a green public space featuring:

• More permeable and landscaped green areas
• Space for the weekly market
• A large wooden deck for gathering and relaxation
• Infiltration systems for sustainable stormwater management
• An interactive fountain that provides additional cooling during warm weather

As a result, the renewed Place du Châtelain contributes not only to a more enjoyable urban environment but also to a climate-resilient city that is better prepared for today's challenges and those of the future.

This project was made possible through close collaboration between Antea Group, Taktyk, Res Derelictae, and Alive Architecture.