Rue de Steppes, Herstal

The area between St-Leonard’s Church, the railway, and the industrial district of Herstal has endured decades of change and challenge. Once alive with workshops and labour, it bears the marks of economic shifts and social transformation.

A new square has emerged on Rue de Steppes, beside a primary school and a playground. As part of its design, architects proposed a permanent portrait of the neighborhood, displayed on the doors of the square. The hands of local residents — those who once laboured in the workshops that sustained this community — became the natural subject.

This choice reflects not only the history of work here but also the ongoing life of the area. Its future will continue to be shaped by the commitment, creativity, and daily efforts of the people who live there, grounding memory, identity, and renewal in their presence.