Chapter Meeting | The Marnix: From Passive House to Regenerative Architecture - Retrofitting a 1965 Modernist Landmark | July 28, 2026

On July 28th at Noon Central, our chapter goes wide over the pond, with special guest, Sebastian Moreno-Vacca of A2M Architecture, a Brussels-based architecture practice: The Marnix: From Passive House to Regenerative Architecture - Retrofitting a 1965 Modernist Landmark.

The most sustainable building is often the one that already exists. The half a million square foot Marnix shows how Passive House principles can transform the 1965 ING headquarters by SOM (Gordon Bunshaft) into a regenerative climate asset. Rather than demolishing, A2M extended its life by 50+ years through deep retrofit, adaptive reuse, and a reinvention of its modernist identity. The project reduced primary energy by 85%, CO₂ emissions by 75%, while costing 20% less than a conventional renovation. The Marnix demonstrates how regenerative architecture became a natural evolution of Passive House. From regulation to circular design, and market conditions to interdisciplinary freedoms, Sebastian will explain how.

AIA/PHI CEs pending.