The installation of all technical systems in the seat of the European Council, or how to juggle modern techniques and heritage preservation.

This project was carried out by ITB, a former affiliate of Cegelec, which was rebranded as Cegelec on January 1, 2025.

The Europa building, where ITB completed all electrical installations, serves as the new seat of the Council of the European Union and the European Council in Brussels. This construction and renovation contract was awarded to the Interbuild-Cegelec consortium by the Belgian Buildings Agency.

Designed by the Belgian architectural and engineering firm Philippe Samyn & Partners, the project comprises approximately 50,000 m² of above-ground office space and 20,000 m² in the basement levels.

A distinctive feature of the new seat is the large glass cube that houses a spherical structure containing conference rooms and the press room. This new building was integrated into a historic structure from the 1920s, located in the heart of the European quarter in Brussels. The facades, entrances, and hallways on the ground floor of the historic building are in Art Deco style and are protected for their architectural value.

Our mission had to meet the client’s strict requirements for reducing the building’s energy consumption. Solar panels and a cogeneration system partially supply the building’s energy. In addition, we installed cooling ceiling systems and a complex air purification and ventilation system for air exchange between the interior and exterior.

Security was also a critical aspect of this building, where key political decision-makers gather during European summits. Systems for security, fire detection, CCTV, building management (BMS), and access control were implemented to ensure 100% reliability.

© Project : Philippe SAMYN and PARTNERS architects & engineers, LEAD and DESIGN PARTNER. With Studio Valle Progettazioni architects, Buro Happold engineers.
© Kleuren : Georges MEURANT
© Foto : Marie-Françoise PLISSART