Leopoldskazerne, in Ghent, is a former military complex near Citadelpark. Our ambition regarding this project has several challenges: there-development of a valuable historical site, "demilitarisation" and opening up of a building complex that is essentially conceived as a fortress; installing opportunities for synergy and meeting between the various users of the site and its immediate surroundings.
The site will become a very refined and lively part of the city that needs to be meticulously "assembled". The driving force behind this new development within this fascinating context is the new Provinciehuis. An open and hospitable house at the service of the citizen, with an exceptional mission: working on an innovative, creative and sustainable East Flanders.
The site will be made permeable by carefully considering the opening up of the perimeter in various places, taking into account the various public flows and programmatic needs in the immediate surroundings. In this way, the site forms an integral part of the urban fabric. The site is located within a residential area with a lot of student activity. We anchor the new programme on the site with the following strategies:
First a healthy housing mix is pursued for the flats: ¼ studios, ¼ three bedroom and 2/4 two bedroom flats. Secondly a ground-connected housing system with ample outdoor space on the side that is also designed to make the most out of the orientation. This housing mix allows for a very varied public, which is an important starting point within the idea of socialising informal care. Finally, in the base of the buildings, we have provided for a very diverse programme: the Province House, homes, offices, studios, the HISK cafeteria, the PCVO meeting place, offices and an information point for the Ministry of Defence and practical areas.
The square is a recreational place for residents, a play area for children, a place for employees to get some fresh air, for informal consultations, for students to study, for people undergoing training to take a break, a meeting place and a place for children to play, for parents to drop off their children and stay and chat. In short, a meeting place for the neighbourhood that serves as the cement for social cohesion, the basis for a socio-cultural sustainable project. The courtyard is both a meeting place for the various users of the site and a place where work can be done. It can be a protocol forecourt or a space for an intimate urban event. The inner streets become a series of linked or unconnected gardens for the homes, or workplaces for the province, offices for third parties or defence. In a protected environment, one can work or relax, where gardens also form the context, whether or not used for urban farming.
We consider the presence of the historical heritage as an asset to generate specific qualities and an own identity. By accepting the historical heritage in all its facets, we are challenged to develop a non-predictable, diverse city, cherishing the historical depth of a place as a collective value. The revaluation of existing heritage starts with valuing it. At the start of the assignment, we conducted a thorough historical survey in order to fine-tune the major options of future repair and restoration work.
client
City of Ghent, Matexi
location
Ghent, Belgium
period
2016
procedure
Competition
team
Lieven Achtergael, Sander Verhanneman, Dirk Liekens
i.c.w.
NU architectuuratelier (architectuur ontwerp), aNNo architecten (architectuur ontwerp), Proap (landschap ontwerp), TPF (stabiliteit studie), D2S (akoestische studie), Willemen Construct (aannemer)