MVRDV Secures Permit for Low-Carbon Tour & Taxis Towers in Brussels

MVRDV has obtained construction permission for its Tour & Taxis Towers in Brussels, a mixed-use project commissioned by developer Nextensa in 2021. The two towers, reaching 126 meters, encompass 58,000 m² of offices, housing, and public amenities. Designed to reduce embodied carbon, the project uses a hybrid structure with cross-laminated timber floor slabs and lightweight façades, guided by MVRDV's CarbonSpace software. The towers are part of a masterplan dating to 2017, for which MVRDV was appointed urban planner in 2019. The western tower rises 20 storeys for offices, while the eastern tower has 35 storeys with 199 apartments. The plinth connects the towers and hosts public programs. Irregular setbacks informed by light and wind studies create terraces and corner windows. The design responds to the urban context, transitioning between residential and office areas. A passage links Lake Side to Anna Bochlaan. MVRDV aims to align with EU taxonomy for sustainable activities. Nathalie de Vries emphasized responsible density and carbon reduction. The firm recently collaborated on a University of Toronto health facility and a residential community in Istanbul.