The smallest European parliament in Eupen by Kempe Thill

In the Belgian city of Eupen, the smallest parliament in Europe will be established. On Monday, October 17, 2011, renovations and expansions of the former sanatorium began to create a representative office for the German-speaking inhabitants in eastern Belgium, approximately 74,000 of whom live in the Eupner and Eifel regions. The reconstruction is authored by the Dutch Atelier Kempe Thill, which won an international competition four years ago. The slightly redesigned plan transforms the monumental sanatorium into a multifunctional office building, expanded to include a parliamentary hall. This is not just a functional transformation, but also an improvement in the overall energy efficiency of the building. In addition to the facade, windows, and slate roof, all technical equipment will be completely replaced. At the same time, a complete conservation of the preserved historical details will take place. The extension of the parliamentary hall is set into the ground to maintain the original shape of the house while offering all the newly required functions. The green roof and green facades are designed to naturally connect the building with the surrounding park and further enhance the monumentality of the original sanatorium building. The interior of the House of Representatives will reflect the local forestry tradition with specially designed wooden acoustic paneling. Completion is planned for autumn 2013.

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