Graduated from the Faculty of Architecture UCLouvain-LOCI (BE) 2024. Martin began his architectural practice as an intern at MDW Architecture. After completing his dissertation on the traditional techniques of construction Martin is particularly interested in exploring sustainable solutions as well as fostering more serene and balanced approaches to renovation and construction.
Graduated from La Cambre-Horta, ULB (BE) 2023, and a Master Erasmus at the Università La Sapienza (IT) 2021. Emma started out as an architect at A Practice in Brussels. She is currently finalising an Executive Master in Architectural Heritage at the Université Libre de Bruxelles.
Graduated in Architecture from Politecnico di Milano (IT) 2016. Nicolo has collaborated with various architecture firms in Milan and Brussels where he mainly worked on public buildings such as offices, learning centres and sports centres. Outside work, Nicolo is a painter and is particularly fascinated by the image composition in Art.
Graduated from the Faculty of Architecture UCLouvain-LOCI (BE) 2019. Alexandre started his first experience as an architect at MDW. His expertise is focused on large scale projects and on the conception phase especially. Outside work, Alexandre travels the world (Iceland, Mexico, Japan etc.) to discover new ways of living and enrich his knowledge.
Marie Moignot
Founding Partner at MDW since 2001. Graduated from the Institut Supérieur d'Architecture de Saint-Luc (Bruxelles, BE) 1998, and completed an Executive Programme in Real Estate at Solvay Business School (Brussels, BE) 2003. Marie is the co-founder of the Cercle Belge des Femmes de l'Immobilier and is the co-president of the G30 since 2025. She is also affiliated with several leading institutions in the field, including UPSI, UPA, UWA and FAB. Marie oversees the agency's administration, development and communications. She also coordinates multidisciplinary teams and resources.
Xavier De Wil
Founding Partner at MDW since 2001. Graduated from the Institut Supérieur d'Architecture de Saint-Luc (Brussels, BE) 1998, and obtained a Special Diploma in Business Management from ICHEC (Brussels, BE) 2005. Xavier oversees the smooth running of projects from inception to completion, with an expertise in the construction phase. He has an in-depth knowledge of all processes in public and private contracts, particularly in technical and budgetary management. Additionally, he manages the agency's administrative and development operations.
Laurent Liefooghe
Artistic Director at MDW since 2012. Graduated in engineering-architecture from the Université of Ghent (BE) 1998, and a Diploma in Art theory from the Jan Van Eyck Academie of Maastricht (NL) 2005. Laurent Liefooghe oversees the artistic direction of MDW Architecture, ensuring the narrative and conceptual coherence of the agency's projects. He provides guidance throughout the project lifecycle, from preliminary design to handover, offering expertise in both design and execution.
Katia Goyens De Heusch
Senior Architect & Executive Director at MDW since 2018. Graduated from the European Masters in "Architecture et Développement Durable" at Ecole d'Architecture de Toulouse (FR), from the Université Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (CH) 2003, and from the Faculté of Architecture UCLouvain-LOCI (BE) 2001. Katia has over 20 years' experience in managing large-scale architectural projects for public authorities, specifically in the bidding and execution phases. Keen to improve the quality of the client services, Katia has improved communication via round-table feedback. She is also in charge of the learning programme by providing technical knowledge to the MDW team. In 2023, Katia joined the MDW Executive Committee.
Address
Avenue de l’Armée, 82a
1040 Brussels - Belgium
Phone
T +32 2 428 73 76
General enquiries mdw@mdwarchitecture.be
For job applications only recruitment@mdwarchitecture.be
ARCHITECT – CONCEPTION PHASE - FLUENT IN FRENCH
10 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE MINIMUM
Founded in 2001 by Marie Moignot and Xavier De Wil, and joined in 2012 by Laurent Liefooghe as Artistic Director, MDW Architecture now brings together around twenty collaborators. Guided by the ambition to “care for people through our architecture,” MDW is structured into small teams with complementary backgrounds and skills. Much like a workshop, we gather around objects, models, and drawings, designing through making.
YOUR ROLE
You will work closely with your project leader to develop competition entries, preliminary designs, Urban Planning Permit phase, and tender documents for projects in Brussels. You will collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure smooth progress of the project, both within the studio and with external partners (engineering offices, contractors, clients, etc.). Freelance position - available immediately - 4 to 5 days a week
YOUR PROFILE
- You are a freelance (engineer-)architect
- You have at least 10 years of professional experience
- You have knowledge of ArchiCAD; AutoCAD
- You are structured, technically rigorous, and precise
- You are interested in sustainability and circularity in your work
- You have strong architectural sensitivity
- A good command of French is essential; English and Dutch are an asset
WHAT WE OFFER
- A role with real responsibilities
- A vibrant social life at the agency: outings, lectures, events
- Regular training sessions with internal and external speakers
WHO WE ARE
- An internationally renowned architectural firm
- An experienced, intergenerational, international, and dynamic team
- A friendly and high‑quality working environment
- An Art Deco building that once housed an haute couture company in the 20th century
- An ideal location near Mérode and Montgomery, accessible by public transport and equipped with bike parking
EXCITED TO BECOME OUR NEXT COLLABORATOR? JOIN US!
Please send your CV, portfolio, and any other relevant documents to: recruitment@mdwarchitecture.be Documents must be in PDF format and must not exceed 5 MB in total. Please include “Architect – Conception” in the subject line of your application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
In architectural design, there is a need "to do", associating reflection with production. In every instance, this is the idea that drives our practice founded by Marie Moignot and Xavier De Wil in 2001, and joined by Laurent Liefooghe as artistic director in 2012.
Our team, composed of twenty-five collaborators, is organised into small groups, with complementary experiences and skills. Like a workshop, we gather around objects, models and drawings, to design by doing. We are very attached to this horizontal and open production.
It is over the years, through several key stages of the company's life, that our way of designing architecture has been shaped. For example, the Savonnerie Heymans project, delivered in 2011, already hinted at some of our future main reflections. The collaboration with Ateliers Jean Nouvel for the Charleroi Police Station project and the extension of the choreographic centre "Charleroi Danse", finalised in 2014, was another step forward for the office to enrich its perspectives, by working on a mixed and highly complex programme. The Terre-Neuve sports hall project, delivered in 2023, gave us the opportunity to meet the city, not as an institution but as an urban entity. Finally, the project of the new RTBF headquarters (delivered in 2025) - as part of the transformation of the Mediapark site - also allowed the office to work on an intricate programme, focused on flexible workspaces and sustainability. This particular project led to a fruitful collaboration with the office V+ Architecture, enriching our respective architectural practices.
Our experience is rich of many years of practice, and our ambition is to perfect our architectural responses by pursuing this perpetual research, allowing us to meet our future challenges and opportunities.
PROJECT MANAGER - ARCHITECT - FLUENT IN FRENCH
15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE MINIMUM
Founded in 2001 by Marie Moignot and Xavier De Wil, and joined in 2012 by Laurent Liefooghe as Artistic Director, MDW Architecture now brings together around twenty collaborators. Guided by the ambition to “care for people through our architecture,” MDW is structured into small teams with complementary backgrounds and skills. Much like a workshop, we gather around objects, models, and drawings, designing through making.
YOUR ROLE
You are eager to take responsibility for overseeing a project (budget and schedule management) and leading a team (resource management) to develop the project through design and execution. You are committed to maintaining coherence at every level and ensuring that all project issues are fully integrated. You enjoy working with a wide range of stakeholders to guarantee the smooth progress of projects, both within the agency and with external partners (engineering offices, contractors, clients, etc.). You are comfortable with complexity and work with a mindset of shared responsibility. You demonstrate strong leadership qualities. Projects are between 5,000m2 to 10,000m2 – medium to large scale.
Freelance position - available immediately – between 4 to 5 days a week
YOUR PROFILE
Technical skills
- You lead the design process from concept to execution
- You ensure the design quality, coherence, and compliance
- You oversee BIM strategy and digital workflows
- You have knowledge and experience in using ArchiCAD
- You integrate sustainability and performance goals into the design
- You coordinate technical disciplines to maintain design integrity
- You review drawings, specifications, and construction details with assertiveness
Strategic and organisational skills
- You define project goals, priorities, and success criteria
- You balance design ambition with budget, schedule, and regulatory constraints
- You make informed decisions quickly with incomplete information
- You anticipate risks and creating mitigation strategies
- You coordinate long‑term planning across phases (concept → construction)
- You ensure alignment between design vision and business objective
Communication and Influence
- You communicate complex design ideas in simple, compelling ways
- You manage client expectations with transparency and tact
- You facilitate productive meetings and ensuring decisions stick
- You negotiate scope, timelines, and resources with authority
- You build trust across teams, consultants, and contractors
- You present design intent persuasively to diverse audiences
Leadership and people skills
- You guide multidisciplinary teams with clarity and confidence
- You set a compelling project vision and align stakeholders around it
- You facilitate collaboration between architects, engineers, contractors, and clients
- You manage conflict constructively and keeping teams’ solution‑oriented
- You support and guide teams through complex phases while fostering a constructive and collaborative atmosphere
- You give clear, actionable feedback and mentoring junior staff
- You lead design discussions and steer decisions without dominating them
- You navigate political dynamics within organisations and project team
Personal qualities
- You remain calm under pressure
- You exercise strong judgment and ethical decision‑making
- You demonstrate resilience and adaptability in changing project conditions
- You show an ownership mindset and accountability for outcomes
- You are curious and committed to continuous learning in design, technology, and management
- You speak French fluently - Knowledge of Dutch and English is an asset
WHAT WE OFFER
- A role with responsibilities
- A vibrant social life at the agency: outings, lectures, events
- Regular training sessions with internal and external speakers
WHO WE ARE
- An internationally renowned architectural firm
- An experienced, intergenerational, international, and dynamic team
- A friendly and high‑quality working environment
- An Art Deco building that once housed an haute couture company in the 20th century
- An ideal location near Mérode and Montgomery, accessible by public transport and equipped with bike parking
EXCITED TO BECOME OUR NEXT COLLABORATOR ? JOIN US!
Please send your CV, portfolio, and any other relevant documents to: recruitment@mdwarchitecture.be Documents must be in PDF format and must not exceed 5 MB in total. Please include “Project manager” in the subject line of your application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Graduated from ISA Victor Horta (now ULB – La Cambre-Horta, BE) 2001. After several internships specialised in the hospital sector, Céline worked in Brussels at A2RC Architects and B2Ai Architects, on medium and large-scale projects. She worked on different phases of the projects and on a variety of themes, including housing, offices, embassies, and opera.
Graduated in Architecture from La Cambre (BE) 1989. After working in several medium-sized architectural practices in Brussels, Yvan Breithof joined Urban Platform for a ten-year collaboration until 2010 when he joined the MDW team as project manager.
Graduated from the Victor Horta Higher Institute of Architecture (BE) in 2006, then completed postgraduate studies in urban planning at the ULB in 2007.
Before joining MDW, Olivier co-founded and managed the firm "ici architectes" for 15 years, during which time he managed more than 30 complete assignments for housing projects ranging from extensions to large apartment buildings. He played a key role in both the implementation of the BIM system and the development of the firm's public sector division, in particular as Project Manager for the recent completion of the 1,100 m² Ancienne Belgique on Rue des Pierres (AB Café, Salon, Resto, Panoramic Terrace and AB Lab). In addition to his work with MDW, Olivier has created a new office, "nou a(rchitecture)", through which he aims to work in temporary partnerships with high-quality Brussels-based offices in order to explore a diversity of perspectives on architecture. Olivier is passionate about designing public facilities that can bring well-being to citizens in the universal sense of the term.
Graduated in Architecture from ISA Saint-Luc (BE) 1994, and Master degree in the restoration of architectural, urban and landscape heritage, ULB/VUB (BE) 2019. Thierry is specialised in large-scale projects and team coordination. His interpersonal skills make him a diplomat, facilitating the smooth running of the architectural projects. In parallel, Thierry is a heritage enthusiast: he restores listed buildings and is the co-author of “Horta, avocat de Poelaert”, a book on the Palace of Justice of Brussels (2024). He also writes many articles for specialised magazines such as “Natrimoine” and “Architecture d’Aujourd’hui”.
Graduated in Architecture from the University of Ghent (BE) 2008. Prior to joining MDW, Kristof spent 13 years working abroad in London (UK). As an Associate at Stanton Williams, Kristof played a key role in two major projects: the conversion of an 18th-century hospital into a public library in Clermont-Ferrand (FR), and the large-scale residential development 'Eddington' in Cambridge (UK). Earlier in his career, he gained experience at renowned practices such as David Chipperfield Architects, Tim Ronalds Architects and Robbrecht en Daem Architecten. Kristof is passionate about sustainable design and prioritising the wellbeing of people. He has also a strong interest in the adaptive reuse of historic and listed buildings.
Graduated from the Accademia di Architettura Mendrisio – USI (Mendrisio, CH) 2006, and the Berlage Institute Delft (Rotterdam, NL) 2009. Sebastiano gained international experience in concept design and building execution while working 3 years at Estudio Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra (Seville, ES), Studio Martinelli & Rossi (Mendrisio, CH) and UNOPS (Panama). In Brussels and prior to MDW, Sébastiano worked at Atelier d’Architecture Slautsky.
Graduated from the Ecole Nationale d'Architecture de Bretagne (Rennes-FR) 2013, and from the Gobelins-Ecole de l'image (Paris-FR) 2015. Malou did her first work experience as an intern at KOZ Architectes (Paris) and worked as an architect for the Universitad Catolica de Valparaiso (Chile). Malou also worked as a graphic designer for the publishing house Les Editions de la dernière lettre (Paris-FR), and for the Bouwmeester Maître Architecte as communication manager during the last quarter of 2024.
Bachelor in Art History (Tours-FR) 2005, Master in Cultural Projects Management (Paris-FR) 2007, Professional certificate in conference & events operations (London-UK) 2012, Bachelor in International Human Resources and Learning and Development (London-UK) 2023. Geraldine oversees the human resources: she identifies opportunities to improve the company’s culture and the collaborators’ life cycle (attraction, recruitment, onboarding, retention, learning and development, separation). She also manages the smooth running of the studio. She previously worked in creative leading international companies including The Fondation d’Art Contemporain Daniel et Florence Guerlain (Paris-FR), The Wallace Collection, Tate Britain, Stanton Williams Architects and Haptic Architects in London, UK, where she lived for 16 years. Geraldine is also an artist and art educator for children and adults. She also gives artworkshops in companies to enhance team building.
