Lamot Event Space and Conference Center

Jan Lauwers / 51N4E & Architectenkoöperatief

Mechelen, Havenwerf

1922 / 2000 – 2005

Brewery Lamot

Already in 1627 there would have been a brewery on this place. In the 19th century it became the Lamot brewery of the Lamot family. They bought several other breweries and became so large that they decided to move to a different location from 1978. The site woudl be completely abandoned in 1997. They did not know what to do with this industrial site in the middle of the city. 

Congress and Heritage Center

The entire area of the brewery is divided into two parts. There is a part where there is a residential area and a hotel. The other part, on the river Dyle, is bought by the city. They wanted to demolish the brewery building, but the then Flemish architect bOb Van Reeth was able to stop it. The architectural firm 51N4E prepared a scenario for the building.

Architecture

The Mechelen Architectenkoöperatief further implemented the concept. Not that easy, because 51N4E had the idea to fully open the first floor. That is, what used to be an almost closed box in brick, fully open with glass all around. A new building was added, with the same scale as the old building (and a fantastic new roof terrace). In total there was a large auditorium for 300 people, 5 meeting rooms and 3 event space. The largest event space has a capacity of 700 people and has the title “Mechelen-Central”. This room is located on the first floor where the facade has been removed, so you have plenty of daylight and a view here. The Grand Café Lamot is located where the old brewer’s kettle is.

View

On the roof terrace you have a beautiful view over Mechelen.