Saint-Joseph

Following the relocation of the Grand Hôpital de Charleroi to its new Les Viviers campus, the historic Saint-Joseph site in Gilly became available for redevelopment. B-city previously developed the urban masterplan for the almost five-hectare site, setting out its transformation into a mixed, sustainable neighbourhood with housing, local amenities, public spaces and community facilities. This architectural project is the first built translation of that long-term vision.

The project brings together a diverse residential programme of apartment buildings, family homes and spaces for retail and community uses. The buildings are designed at a human scale, with a coherent architectural language expressed through carefully composed volumes, a restrained material palette and a contemporary interpretation of brick architecture. Integrated outdoor spaces and shared green courtyards create a balance between cohesion and diversity while responding to the character of the surrounding neighbourhood.

The quality of the public realm is central to the design. A network of low-traffic streets, public squares and landscaped open spaces connects the different residential clusters while prioritising walking and cycling. Shared green spaces and a carefully designed landscape contribute to biodiversity, sustainable water management and a high-quality living environment.

Sustainability is embedded throughout the project. The buildings are designed with a fossil-free energy system, incorporating high-performance building envelopes, photovoltaic panels and rainwater harvesting systems. By integrating architecture, public space and mobility into a single, coherent approach, the development creates a resilient new neighbourhood that translates the ambitions of the masterplan into a carefully designed place to live.