Yesterday, we were informed of the appointment of Lisa De Visscher as the new BMA. After three months of uncertainty since Kristiaan’s departure, during which we collectively ensured the continuity of our work with diligence and team spirit, we are pleased and relieved to be able to embark on this new chapter.
Lisa De Visscher appointed as the new bouwmeester maître architecte of the Brussels-Capital Region
The Government of the Brussels-Capital Region has selected Lisa De Visscher as the new bouwmeester maître architecte (BMA). She will soon assume her duties, succeeding Kristiaan Borret.
An engineer-architect, researcher, critic, and trilingual cultural actor, Lisa De Visscher has always placed the societal responsibility of architecture at the heart of her work. Her interdisciplinary perspective shaped by twenty-five years of experience in teaching, research, publishing, and practice makes her a recognised figure within the Belgian and European architectural scene.
A committed profile at the intersection of research, critique, and architectural policy
For more than fifteen years, Lisa De Visscher has been teaching and conducting research at the University of Liège on reconversion and reuse, regularly collaborating with the BMA and various Brussels institutional players. She is the co-author of Susciter l’architecture, les outils politiques belges pour la qualité architecturale (2018), a reference work on architectural policy in Belgium.
In parallel, she directed the magazine A+ Architecture in Belgium for nearly ten years, transforming it into a platform for reflection and debate on urban, social, and environmental issues. Under her leadership, A+ launched public debates, exhibitions, and key publications, and helped bring international visibility to Brussels’ architectural production. She also founded the Brussels Architecture Prize in 2021, which highlights the quality and diversity of architectural practices in Brussels.
Lisa De Visscher also has international experience as an architect, gained in offices such as Baumschlager Eberle (Austria, Switzerland – 2005-2007) and Neutelings Riedijk (Netherlands – 2011-2013).
A forward-looking vision for Brussels
With her appointment, Lisa De Visscher aims to build on the momentum initiated by the BMA while opening a new chapter. She intends to strengthen the cultural dimension and expand the BMA’s reach beyond the professional community, while continuing to explore urban productivity, reuse, and circularity.
She also aspires to deepen work on social inclusion, affordable housing, and the climate transition, with a focus on sustainable mobility and a high-quality, biodiverse public space.
Her approach is that of a committed mediator, convinced that architecture and urbanism are essential tools for addressing collective challenges and improving urban quality of life.
Welcome Lisa