Two wings of the Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels—better known as the Dinosaurs’ Museum—have now been recognised as protected heritage. The neoclassical Janlet wing is classified as a monument, while the Vestel wing is added to the protection list. “The dinosaurs and skeletons in the museum are already historic, but now the building itself is also being recognised,” says Brussels State Secretary for Monuments Ans Persoons (Flemish socialist Vooruit).
This new status was symbolically recognised on Wednesday morning with the placing of a blue shield on the facade of the building. It's the heritage emblem of the Brussels Region. “Part of the building—the old monastery—was already listed,” explains Persoons, who also attended the ceremony. “In reality, the building is a mix of different architectural styles.”
For example, the neoclassical Janlet wing—named after its architect—was not built until later in the 19th century. The Vestel wing, on the other hand, is a prime example of modernism. “But the interior as well, from its cabinets to its aquariums, was custom designed. Moreover, scientific research is still conducted at those 100-year-old desks to this very day. That is unique."
Thanks to this designation, the museum's unique character must now be preserved for the future. After all, a building on the list of protected sites cannot simply be renovated or even modified. “I hope that the dinosaur museum will continue to welcome many visitors for a long time to come,” Persoons concludes. “And that they’ll appreciate not only the dinosaurs, but also the architecture.”