National Bank of Belgium

Challenge

Room 16 is the principal conference room of the head office of the National Bank of Belgium in Brussels. The room oozes a rich history because of its wood panelling, beautiful conference table and portraits of previous governors. But the facilities were found to be ageing in the wake of the financial crisis when the room was used more than ever before. The National Bank wanted a far-reaching modernisation but with retention of the room’s historical look and feel.

Solution

Bulvano came up with a way of integrating the required ultramodern multimedia technologies in a highly discreet manner. To accomplish this the firm deployed its specialist engineering team to gear the wishes of the client’s interior architecture department from A to Z to the possibilities suggested by the multimedia supplier and rethought certain matters. High-end customisation made it possible to conceal all cables, to fit computer monitors ingeniously beneath glass in the table and to allow cameras to slide out only during videoconferences. Bulvano thus succeeded in retaining the typical furnishing while meeting all functional needs of the present day (year of project).

The National Bank wanted a far-reaching modernisation but with retention of the room’s historical look and feel.

Result

The result was state-of-the-art technology in harmony with the room’s architectural heritage. Bulvano concealed the high-tech facilities to the fullest possible extent in the furniture, thus increasing interaction between the people sitting around the table (not more than 12). An engineering feat was accomplished to blend the uniqueness of the past respectfully with the needs of the present.