‘Roelevard’ genomineerd voor prestigieuze architectuurprijs
08/07/2025
Architectural firms B2Ai and Snøhetta prepare for final week in Miami
The Belgian architectural firm B2Ai, based in Roeselare, its Norwegian partner Snøhetta, and project developers ION and Steenoven have been nominated for one of the most prestigious architecture awards in the world for their ‘Roelevard’ project in Roeselare. In November, the team will defend the project live at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) in Miami before a jury of no fewer than 164 (!) big names from the world of architecture from 37 different countries.
Roelevard is known as Roeselare's largest climate-friendly residential and work project in decades. It covers an area of 16,500 square meters and comprises 81 apartments, over 6,800 square meters of office space, 456 square meters of retail space, an underground car park for 144 cars, 82 storage rooms, and 288 bicycle parking spaces. But even more impressive than the impressive figures is the fact that the project has succeeded in completely revitalizing the outdated station district. Not only in a climate-friendly way—Roelevard includes a heat network and green roofs, among other things—but also with top-notch architecture.
This has not gone unnoticed by the organisers of the World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards. This week, they officially informed the project team – a collaboration between B2Ai, Snøhetta, ION and Steenoven – of their nomination in the category ‘Completed Buildings – Mixed Use’. This category recognizes the best-designed construction projects of the year that combine different functions, such as living and working. In its presentation of the shortlist, the WAF Awards organization summarizes the project as a Norwegian-Belgian collaboration in which “the buildings transform the (urban) area that was previously cut through by a railway line into a vibrant working and living environment with new connection points.”
“With ‘Roelevard’, we saw an opportunity to reconnect the city – not just physically, but also socially. By transforming a once divided railway zone into a vibrant mixed-use destination, we are contributing to a more cohesive and livable urban environment.”
- Kjetil Traedal Thorsen, Snøhetta Partner and Co-founder
- Kjetil Traedal Thorsen, Snøhetta Partner and Co-founder
“‘Roelevard’ is breathing new life into the station district of Roeselare and reconnecting the city with architecture that invites and inspires. We are therefore particularly honored that our efforts have now also been recognized by the World Architecture Festival.”
- Julie Vermoortel, B2Ai Partner
- Julie Vermoortel, B2Ai Partner
Finals in Miami
In mid-November, representatives of the project team will travel to the US. At the Miami Beach Convention Center, they will present the project live to a jury of no fewer than 164 big names from the world of architecture, representing 37 different countries.
In the ‘Mixed Use’ category, the ‘Roelevard’ team will compete against 17 other strong projects from Dubai, China, Great Britain, Australia, India, Monaco, and other countries. After the vote, there will be a grand finale in which a renowned jury will make the final decision. You could easily call this the world championship of architecture. The fact that ‘Roelevard’ was selected from hundreds of projects is a victory in itself, but of course we hope for more. We are therefore extremely proud of the result and of the entire team that helped make this landmark a reality.
“The designers of ‘Roelevard’ have worked together to create a modern look, combined with a focus on comfort, sustainability, and quality. Residents can enjoy a villa with a garden in the city, so to speak. This is not only a unique combination in Roeselare, but also in many other parts of the world. The fact that this nomination will soon give the project resonance from Miami to Tokyo is an unexpected success and invaluable."
- Sofie Beernaert, Project Developer Steenoven
- Sofie Beernaert, Project Developer Steenoven
First residents
The first residents moved into Roelevard a few months ago. And now the office spaces are also quickly finding tenants. Sweco will be moving into Roelevard in October. The listed engineering company will occupy 2,600 square meters of office space, or more than a third of the total office space. The final completion of Roelevard is scheduled for around New Year's Day.
