Tournai, one of Belgium’s oldest cities, holds an exceptional architectural heritage. Within sight of its UNESCO-listed belfry and Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Carré Janson occupies a strategic position at the foot of the cathedral. The site brings together the three wings of the former Hôtel des Prêtres (18th century), the archives building (1920), and a 1950s structure. Over time, successive alterations and a three-metre change in level between adjacent squares had left the ensemble fragmented and disconnected from the surrounding city.
From the outset, TANK’s approach was guided by the conviction that every building has value, not only in its own form and history, but also in the way it mediates between others. TANK chose to retain and work with the existing fabric, rather than replace it. The aim was to restore legibility, reopen routes through the block, and reconnect the Carré Janson to the city’s public realm.
At the heart of the project, TANK transformed the central courtyard into a covered public square. Tiered seating negotiates the change in levels, while a large retractable curtain allows the space to be converted into an auditorium without interrupting circulation at the edges. Above this, a new suspended volume extends the site’s total area to 6,500 m², housing two large floors for exhibitions and seminars and a panoramic terrace with rare views over the city and cathedral.
The old and new operate independently, yet are connected by two precisely positioned concrete circulation towers. By reactivating the Carré Janson, TANK sought to create a place that accepts the city’s layers, draws on its history, and makes space for new uses and encounters.
Tournai
Belgium
Library
Cultural Center
17th century
2025