Since 2015 and until the end of 2024, Kristiaan Borret is the Bouwmeester Maître Architecte. To conclude this mandate, we are pleased to present a book, compiled by Jan Denoo and Hedwig van der Linden, that looks back at a period when Brussels architecture gained international recognition and the practice of urban development changed. It illustrates how the city is made and experienced today, covering both formal tools and informal practices that, together, form the soft power of BMA. This book embraces complexity, like Brussels city life itself.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us in the Usquare hall on Wednesday 27 November 2024. There were so many of you, and it was a great joy for Kristiaan and the whole team to see this beautiful hall buzzing with pink bags and books.

Véronique Patteeuw led us with gusto through a programm of many contributions, punctuated by musical interludes by a trio of musicians from Benin. The first part, 10 years back, highlighted several sides of this collective adventure, with interventions from Radim Louda (Central), Stephan Sonneville (Atenor), Ans Persoons and from the audience. The second, 10 years forward, opened perspectives and ambitions for politics in the years to come, Alice Babini (Babini-Geysen), Meriem Chabani (New South), Annekatrien Verdickt (Filter Café Filtré), David Leisterh and again from the audience.

Special thanks to Oana Bogdan and Thierry Decuypere for their tribute to Kristiaan and the team, with a welcome humorous touch to end all speeches.

Over 500 books handed out, a festive atmosphere with live music, delicious French fries and an impromptu dance floor to end in beauty: thanks to you, this evening was unforgettable!

The book is distributed by the publisher Walther und Franz König, and can be found on this website or soon in your favourite bookshop. Museum.