The Precedent Redefining Office Spaces: Biophilic Design at The Precedent

“I’ve always wanted to help and support people, and I’ve finally found a way to do that through architecture.”

eyrise® spoke to Véronique Orens , co-founder of YUGENING Architecture in Belgium:

“At Yugening, we constantly explore new ways to improve the well-being of building users. What if architecture could prevent burnout, reduce absenteeism, and help people concentrate better for longer? We’ve all focused on reducing energy and water consumption, and while that’s incredibly important, people are the largest cost per square meter of office space. Imagine the impact human-centered and biophilic design could have on the well-being of individuals who spend most of their day in offices. We can achieve so much by focusing on elements like air quality, glare reduction, views, and natural colors.

The Precedent building on Avenue Louise in Brussels embodies this philosophy. We designed it to maximize the calming effect of the large plane trees in front of the building. We didn’t need to create biophilic features inside; we simply opened up the façade to let in views of nature. But with large curtain walls and plenty of daylight, sometimes you have too much sunlight and need to reduce glare. We didn’t want to use blinds or shutters, so we were fortunate that our client chose smart glass—eyrise®, in this case. This choice aligned perfectly with our commitment to WELL certification, focusing on health and well-being. We worked within size limitations, combining some panels with a thin black profile to make it look like one continuous glass panel from a distance.

We also chose to keep most of the existing concrete skeleton, even though it wasn’t the most logical option. Demolishing everything down to the ground would have repeated the same mistakes you see across Brussels, missing the valuable lesson that old structures can be renovated, not replaced. Limited floor-to-ceiling height, coupled with our desire for excellent air quality, meant we had to accommodate large ventilation ducts. Since we didn’t have the height for them inside, we placed them outside the skeleton. This required a unique design—steel beams on top of the concrete skeleton with a cantilever system and tension rods to support the curtain walls. The walls are a mix of timber profiles and smart glass. By keeping the structure, we avoided a significant carbon footprint, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability.

On top of the existing structure, we added two additional floors made from cross-laminated timber (CLT). Now, the high-rise combines the old concrete with new wood. Inside, we widened the staircases to create an auditorium-like space—a place where people can meet and exchange ideas. This cross-pollination of ideas is crucial for innovation and creativity, and it’s one of the greatest assets of The Precedent.

We use natural colors, earth tones, and materials like wood, which some studies suggest can reduce cortisol, the stress hormone. Combining these features with the collaborative atmosphere in the stairwell creates a vibrant, busy beehive environment.

Our clients often stick with what they know because it feels safe. It takes courage to try something different, to embrace a new approach. When we designed this building in 2018, many people weren’t familiar with green building certifications or the human-centered benefits they offer. Now, thanks to Generation Z’s high standards, there’s more focus on health and well-being. If you spend most of your day in an office, you expect the best—clean air, no glare, great views. We want people to look forward to Mondays, not Fridays.”