Triage-Lavoir de Péronnes, Coal washing facility in Péronnes-lez-Binche, Belgium
The Triage-Lavoir de Péronnes is a coal washing facility built as a large concrete structure with multiple levels connected by intricate stairways and supported by numerous concrete columns. The building displays the industrial engineering approach typical of post-war manufacturing plants.
Built in 1954 with Marshall Plan funds, the facility processed coal from local mines until closing in 1969. It emerged during a period when coal mining was the economic engine of the region.
This structure embodies Belgian industrial heritage and has been protected as a monument since 2003, reflecting its importance to the region's identity. Visitors today can see how coal mining once shaped daily life and the landscape of this area.
The complex currently stands empty and can be viewed from outside, where the strength of the concrete structure becomes apparent. Renovation work that began in 2006 has been gradually transforming the facility for future use.
The facility is planned to house an underground archive for royal collections and natural history materials, giving the industrial building an entirely new purpose. This transformation demonstrates how old manufacturing plants can be preserved for contemporary needs.
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