Warehouses, offices, stacked volumes, factories... What can we learn from the kinds of buildings that, at first glance, seem simply constructed? What makes them (re)usable and exceptional at the same time? BULK architecten investigate how paying greater attention to structure and construction can contribute to a more resilient, robust city.
Construct, room for change
The corona pandemic has shown how quickly the organisation of life and work can change. In tomorrow’s world, could an office function better as a residential building or school, or vice versa? What does climate change mean for the built environment? If we insist on creating new buildings, then we had better make sure they last. According to BULK architecten, buildings with a constructional and spatial surplus are better equipped to accommodate changes in use and techniques. They provide a framework for a circular building economy.
But the realisation of robust, open buildings still encounters many obstacles. The initial infill too often determines the design, resulting in ‘bespoke architecture’. Beautiful on completion, but quickly outdated. Due to the unbalanced collaboration between architect and engineer, the construction rarely forms the basis of a design. As a result, the much-desired excess space is under pressure from the very beginning.
How can architects, engineers, developers, contractors and governments contribute to the creation of long-term value? In Construct, BULK goes in search of tools for a changing practice. They have selected eleven different buildings in Flanders, Brussels and the Netherlands in which the structure can support changes in interpretation and use over time. Archival research and site visits provide the basis for a matrix in which the eleven cases are given a place.
Opening
On November 12 we open the exhibition BWMSTR Label. Construct, room for change. In two panel discussions, we bring together various actors from the construction sector to reflect on the future of robust buildings and their impact on a changing city.
Architects and engineers as well as project developers and the Flemish Government Architect take the stage to think about the future of robust buildings.
With speakers: Jasper Ponjee (BULK architects), Olof Grip (General Architecture), Erik Wieërs (Vlaams Bouwmeester), Mario Rinke (University of Antwerp), Evi Swinnen (Timelab Ghent), Peter Gestels (Van Roey) and Steven Decloedt (AG Vespa ). Moderator: Edith Wouters (Ar-Tur)
12.11.2021 at 20:00, Music studio De Singel in Antwerp. Free with mandatory registration (seats are limited)
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Bouwmeester Label
With the Bouwmeester Label, the Flemish Government Architect seeks to identify innovative and policy-relevant ideas from research and design practice, and thus support unsolicited research in its initial phase. The laureates receive a modest budget to further develop their project into a dossier that subsequently finds its way to policy makers and administrations.
In 2021-2022, the Flanders Architecture Institute, Team Vlaams Bouwmeester and De Singel will once again be giving a platform to innovative architectural projects with added social value. In the exhibition series BWMSTR Label, we present the work of the researchers who were awarded the Bouwmeester Label in 2019-2020
Practical
- DATE:
13.11.2021 - 17.04.2022
- OPEN:
From Wednesday to Sunday - 14:00h until 19:00h. During evening performances until 22:00h.
- CLOSED:
25.12.2021 & 01.01.2022
- ENTRANCE:
free
- LOCATION:
deSingel (Wandelgangen)
- STREET:
Desguinlei 25
- POSTAL CODE:
2018
- CITY:
Antwerp
- PRODUCTION:
Vlaams Architectuurinstituut en deSingel
- COPRODUCTION:
Vlaams Bouwmeester
- CURATOR:
BULK architecten
- PARTNERS:
AG Vespa and IRS Studiebureau
- WITH THE SUPPORT OF:
de Vlaamse Gemeenschap