Maison de la Radio (bâtiment Flagey)

A masterpiece of the Brussels "ocean liner" style, nicknamed "the Paquebot" for a silhouette recalling a ship moored on the edge of the Ixelles ponds. It was built from 1935 to 1938 by Joseph Diongre for the National Broadcasting Institute (INR), following a second competition whose jury included Victor Horta and Émile Van Averbeke; the first competition (40 entrants) had named no winner. The spongy ground required 836 concrete piles. The building stands out for its geometric volumes, flat roof, ribbon windows and circular corner tower. Listed since 1994, it was restored by Philippe Samyn (1998-2002) and reopened as the Flagey cultural centre.

Translated from the French original.