Destelheide

Destelheide is an unusual training and cultural complex in Dworp, a village that belongs to the municipality of Beersel, just south of Brussels. Set on a forested hillside overlooking the rolling landscape of Flemish Brabant, the site's raw concrete architecture stands in sharp contrast to the rural surroundings typical of this part of Belgium.

Who designed Destelheide?

The original complex was designed by Belgian architect Paul Felix (1913–1981), one of the notable figures of post-war modernism in Belgium. He received the commission in 1964 from the minister then responsible for youth affairs, and construction continued until 1971. Felix conceived the campus in a brutalist idiom, built from precast concrete elements arranged as monolithic, geometric volumes that deliberately contrast with the soft, green hillside around them. The buildings are spread across the site like a small village, with separate pavilions serving different functions, connected by paths and terraces that follow the natural slope of the land.

What was the complex originally meant for?

From the outset, Destelheide was conceived as a training centre — a place where youth groups, artists and educators could meet, learn and create. It was run under the umbrella of an agency responsible for youth tourism, with a mission to provide the infrastructure, space and time needed for artistic development. In practice this meant workshop rooms, accommodation and gathering spaces, still used today for training sessions, cultural workshops and educational events.

What changed in the 21st century?

In 2009 the campus was extended with new elements designed by the architecture firm Bovenbouw Architectuur, including garages and a storage/utility building. The challenge for the architects was to fit new, functional structures into Paul Felix's distinctive brutalist language without simply copying the historic forms. Instead, they continued the logic of the original concept: plain concrete volumes that respect the scale and rhythm of the existing campus while answering the practical needs of a working centre, such as equipment storage, parking and technical facilities.

Why is it worth a visit?

Destelheide is a rare example, in this part of Belgium, of brutalist architecture built with real ambition and a strong relationship to its landscape setting. The surrounding area — the hilly countryside south of Brussels, within the municipality of Beersel — is popular for its scenic views and proximity to the capital. For anyone interested in modernist architecture, the site offers a glimpse of how post-war Belgium invested in infrastructure for youth and culture, with a scale and confidence unusual for such a small village as Dworp.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Destelheide located? In Dworp, a village that is part of the municipality of Beersel, south of Brussels, in the province of Flemish Brabant.

Who designed the complex? The original campus, built between 1964 and 1971, was designed by architect Paul Felix. Later additions, including the 2009 utility buildings, were designed by Bovenbouw Architectuur.

What is the building used for? It functions as a training and cultural centre, mainly serving youth and arts groups for workshops, training sessions and educational events.

What makes the architecture of Destelheide distinctive? Its raw brutalist style — precast concrete, geometric volumes, and a deliberate contrast with the green, rural landscape surrounding it.