La Laiterie: between the calm of nature and the dynamism of the city
Located near the Scheutbos and on the edge of a protected wetland, the new district of La Laiterie in Anderlecht, offers its residents an ideal combination between the calm of nature and the dynamism of the city.
La Laiterie rehabilitates a former wetland site, which over the years has become an illegal waste dump and which is also considered as a Green Zone of High Biological Value by the Region, into a new pleasant and green district. At the request of the Brussels Region, the wetland has been thoroughly restored. It was overgrown and almost dry. Waste was removed, non-native plants were removed, the number of trees was reduced. The marsh was deepened by half a meter and secured.
The buildings were built with maximum respect for nature. The landscaping between the buildings was inspired by the plantings around the marsh to ensure visual continuity. Different vegetated atmospheres have been developed: meadows, walking areas, .... New species of native vegetation have been planted, in consultation with an eco-biologist. A wooden gazebo was built, offering a pleasant space to enjoy the marsh. In addition, specific outdoor lighting was used to avoid disturbing the frogs and birds.
The desire was to ensure a landscape continuity in connection with the classified site and to open perspectives to enhance it. Ensuring the fluidity of the site and facilitating soft mobility, in connection with a vast network of bicycle and pedestrian paths, was also a particular point of attention.
La Laiterie was developed in two phases (called "Laiterie 1" and "Laiterie 2"), conceived as a coherent whole. The whole project offers 214 apartments divided into 6 buildings.
