Shop and info point design for the Brussels City Hall

MAD Brussels, visit.brussels & the City of Brussels

Available until 02.12.25

As part of the renovation of the tourist information office, the City Hall shop, and the interpretation center exhibition, the City of Brussels is launching a call for applications for an interior architect or designer based in Brussels. The selected designer will be responsible for the interior layout and custom furniture design of a new 180 m² space located in the heart of the Grand-Place, within a listed heritage building.

Conceived as a multifunctional venue, the visit.brussels shop will combine a retail area, a visitor reception space, cultural mediation features, and a permanent exhibition on the history of the Grand-Place. The design must combine sobriety, functionality, and respect for the heritage context, while remaining adaptable to multiple uses: group visits, children’s zone (including bespoke, child-height furniture), accessibility for people with reduced mobility, etc.

To support local creative talent, the City will entrust the design to the selected candidate, while the production of the furniture will be carried out by the City’s technical workshops, in close collaboration with the project teams.

OBJECTIVES

The selected candidate will be responsible for:

Designing the overall layout of the space, including the interpretation center exhibition ;
Creating custom self-standing furniture adapted to the various functions of the space (reception, sales, exhibition, circulation, etc.);
Proposing modular and adaptable sales furniture able to accommodate a variety of products (textiles, small and medium-sized objects, etc.);
Providing the technical plans required for internal production, existing lighting and electrical connections, and ensuring compatibility with ongoing electrical works;
Incorporating all necessary adaptations into these plans (lighting, power supply for modules, counters, etc.);
Analyzing circulation flows and accessibility needs (PRM) and proposing an inclusive and fluid organization of the space;
Considering ergonomics and staff comfort (adapted counter, seating, proper working height);
Proposing creative alternatives to standard solutions, emphasizing variety, dynamism, and originality;
Ensuring project follow-up in collaboration with the City’s technical teams and workshops;
Being present for the final installation.

about THE BRUSSELS CITY HALL

The City Hall of Brussels is fully classified as a heritage building. The project must therefore be designed without any permanent fixings to the walls, floors, or ceilings. Any future modification will require a planning permit.

An on-site visit and a tour of the City's workshops are mandatory in order to familiarize yourself with the spaces and information essential to the completion of the project. A certificate of attendance will be issued by the Historic Heritage Department of the City of Brussels.

A technical dossier will be provided during the mandatory visit.

WHAT DOES THIS CALL OFFER?

A fixed remuneration of €35,000, covering the space design, furniture creation, coordination, meetings with the City’s workshops, and project supervision;
Full production of the furniture by the City’s workshop, at no cost to the designer;
A maximum materials budget of €40,000 for the furniture construction;
A compensation of €1,500 for the two non-selected finalists (among the three shortlisted candidates) as remuneration for their time and effort.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The ideal profile will meet the following requirements:

A professional interior architect or designer based in Belgium;
Experience in functional furniture design, ideally in public or heritage contexts;
Ability to work with public institutions and collaborate with existing production teams;
Sensitivity to accessibility, sustainability, diversity of audiences, and heritage context;
Availability between December 2025 and May 2026.

Applications will be evaluated based on:

The quality and relevance of references provided;
The clarity and sensitivity of the design concept note;
Understanding of the site’s specific constraints (heritage, accessibility, modularity);
The sustainable approach of the project;
The ability to translate a concept into feasible technical plans for the City workshops;
Previous experience working with public partners;
Attention to the identity and heritage character of the City Hall.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

PHASE 1: Preselection based on application files

Applications must be submitted via the online form before 2 December 2025, including:

Portfolio;
Moodboard.

A jury composed of members from MAD Brussels, visit.brussels, and the City of Brussels will evaluate the submissions based on the provided documents and select three candidates that best meet the criteria to move forward to Phase 2.

PHASE 2: Selection based on project presentations

The three shortlisted candidates from Phase 1 will be invited to present a detailed and visual project proposal, including budget estimates (covering design, meetings, and supervision until delivery), before the jury on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at MAD Brussels.

Among them, one finalist will be selected to execute out the project. The two others will each receive a €1,500 compensation for their time and work.