Architect and Co-founder of 51N4E
Freek Persyn is a Belgian architect and co-founder of 51N4E, the Brussels-based practice established in 1998. His work is widely recognized for its commitment to social and urban transformation, combining architectural design with adaptive reuse, participatory processes, and long-term thinking about the future of cities.
Through 51N4E, Persyn has contributed to a series of influential projects that explore how architecture can activate public life and respond to complex urban conditions. Among the practice’s most notable works are the transformation of Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania, and the redevelopment of the World Trade Center towers in Brussels’ Northern Quarter — projects that reflect a strong interest in public space, collective use, and the reinvention of existing urban structures.
Alongside his practice, Persyn is deeply engaged in architectural education and research. Since 2019, he has been a full professor at ETH Zurich, where his work focuses on architecture and urban transformation. His teaching promotes the idea of “learning environments,” using design processes as tools for collaboration, innovation, and meaningful urban change.
