To transition Belgium to a fossil fuel-free society by 2050, they must renovate 95,000 homes annually—11 homes every hour. But tackling this challenge house by house is inefficient. A collective, neighbourhood-scale approach is more cost- and material-efficient, benefits diverse income groups, and allows for the integration of multiple technical solutions simultaneously. Operation Energy Neighbourhoods makes this vision tangible, while leading you from promise to practice.

Our design work helped to bring clarity and cohesion to this ambitious initiative led by Architecture Workroom Brussels. Through a thoughtful visual identity and spatial storytelling, we translated complex urban challenges into an accessible and engaging exhibition experience. Our graphics guide visitors through the urgent need for collective action, highlighting key strategies and inspiring collaboration. Throughout the public programme of workshops and debates in the space, the visitor is invited to reflect and collaborate with other stakeholders on the fields of action that add up to an integrated neighbourhood approach.

This exhibition is the first in a series of ‘open workrooms’ running from late 2024 to 2026, exploring energy neighbourhoods, sponge landscapes, and societal infrastructure. Each of these tracks features a public programme and a small exhibition, contributing to a great transformation. By shaping the visual language of Operation Energy Neighbourhoods, we played a role in making these critical urban transformations both visible and actionable.