oPla architecture Information

oPla is an architectural studio founded in 2011 by three Belgian and Portuguese partners and based in Anderlecht. oPla architecture has its offices in RecyK, the Brussels Cleaning Platform. In addition to its primary interest in the fundamental questions of architecture - social issues, spaces, forms, materials, light, shadow, manufacturing, etc. - oPla has been interested in and experimenting with the circular economy in the field of architecture for several years. These concerns can be found, for example, in the development projects of the RecyK plateau where oPla is located, the cityfab1 at Greenbizz, the Bidules shop ("circular" glasses) next to Bozar, and the redevelopment project for the reception areas of hub.brussels at the Chaussée de Charleroi, among others. All these projects have led us to think about the projects from this perspective and to find the right sources and partners to produce efficient and spatially ambitious projects. Two oPla associates, F. Dautrebande & P. Monteiro, are teachers in the project workshop at the ULB LaCambre-Horta Faculty of Architecture, which allows them to broaden their horizons of academic concerns and possibilities and to have numerous exchanges with their colleagues and partner universities. The third associate, A. de Moura Martins, completed her architectural studies with a master's degree in design studies at Saint Martins School in London. We also rotate with 2-3 associates to complete the team. oPla also has real experience in international projects. For example, in a European context, oPla has completed 3 projects in France, 2 in Lyon and 1 in Paris (complete interior fittings of 750m2 and renovation of 2 studios), as well as a project in Lisbon, which is now completed. For these yoga space projects, oPla produced the detailed design and technical plans. As these involve architectural issues (structural work, ...), public access and the coordination of on-site companies, oPla worked in full coordination with on-site architectural offices for the launch and follow-up of the construction site. Prior to the creation of oPla, F. Dautrebande was the lead architect for the Belgian-European pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010, for the entire mission at Conix Architects, and P. Monteiro worked at Eurostation on the design of non-EU developments.