Exhibition

Care for Space for Care. Scenes from Flanders and Brussels

How can architecture take care of the planet and its inhabitants? In addition to the Critical Care exhibition Care for Space for Care explores how architecture in Flanders and Brussels interprets the concept of care. Nine contemporary projects reflect on three themes: interdependence, maintenance and posthumanism.

28 May 2022 - 11 September 2022
free admission Wed - Sun from 2 to 7pm
De Singel (Expo)

Care for Space for Care. Scenes from Flanders and Brussels

The exhibition includes nine contemporary projects with an emphasis on co-creation processes and spatial experiences. The selected projects offer a varying range of approaches in interpreting care in architecture. Instead of a typological approach that focuses on care facilities such as hospitals and nurseries, Care for Space for Care explores how the concept of care can be implemented in architectural practice. The exhibition provides the visitor with a clear and thought-provoking whole, that exists together with the travelling Critical Care exhibition.

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House for Seasonal Neighbours by Ciel Grommen and Maximiliaan Royakkers, Borgloon; © Olmo Peeters
Huis Perrekes by NU architectuuratelier, Oosterlo © Stijn Bolleart

Caring for others

Caring about and for others is about empathy, making people included in the project visible, and ensuring their voices are heard. Extending the boundaries of formal participatory models, interdependence reintroduces the personal affairs, emotional labour and humanistic side of spatial production. It is a reminder for us that architecture is by, for and with people.

Projects:

  • House Perrekes, Oosterlo by NU Architectuuratelier
  • House for Seasonal Neighbours​, Borgloon by Ciel Grommen and Maximiliaan Royakkers
  • Sporthaven, Mortsel by Import Export Architecture

Oscar Rommens about care

Z33 by Francesca Torzo, Hasselt; © Olmo Peeters

Caring for materials

Designing buildings that can easily be maintained is also an act of care, a preventive measure. It is a careful design decision to sustain the life of a building with durable materials, precise details and an open design that allows for adaptation and appropriation. A maintenance perspective considers the existing building stock as a crucial resource to be benefitted from as long as possible and aims to extend the lifespan of buildings as much as possible as a sign of respect to nature and its limited material resources as well as to collective urban memory.

Projects:

  • Z33, Hasselt by Francesca Torzo
  • Le Rideau, Brussels by Ouest
  • Actiris, Brussels​​ by Laura Muyldermans & LDSRa

Francesca Torzo about care

Observation tower by De Gouden Liniaal Architecten; © Filip Dujardin

Caring for the planet

Posthumanism implies a new understanding of caring for the planet and all beings and materials sharing a common space and future. Posthumanist architecture is a practice of working together with all actors, materials and energies in creating a space that is enjoyed by all.

Projects:

  • Ecotron UHasselt, Maasmechelen by NoAarchitects
  • Charleroi Grand Hopital landscape design, Charleroi​ by Bas Smets​
  • Observation Tower, Dilsen-Stokkem (Negenoord) by De Gouden Liniaal Architecten​

Laura Muyldermans en Sander Rutgers about the scenography

Colombes - Frankrijk, 2013-2017 © Atelier d’Architecture Autogérée, R-Urban van Atelier d’Architecture Autogérée

Vernissage

Join us on 27 May for the opening of the double exhibition Caring Architecture. Discover how architecture can play a key role in protecting our planet, resources and people.

more information
Ouest Architecture, Theater Le Rideau de Bruxelles, Elsene © Johnny Umans

Public Programme

On the occasion of the double exhibition Caring Architecture the Flanders Architecture Institute organizes a series of excursions and debates on how designers can take care of the future of our planet. Register now If you want to join us during this reflective moments.

More information
Double exhibition Caring Architecture, Flanders Architecture Institute and AZW in De Singel 2022 © Michiel De Cleene

Guided Tour

Want to know more? Book a guided tour via Expeditie De Stad! A guided visit is also possible outside normal opening hours.

Practical information:

  • Price: € 80
  • Maximum 20 people per guide
more information
Double exhibition Caring Architecture, Flanders Architecture Institute and AZW in De Singel 2022 © Michiel De Cleene Double exhibition Caring Architecture, Flanders Architecture Institute and AZW in De Singel 2022 © Michiel De Cleene

Practical

date

28.05.2022 - 11.09.2022

open

From Wednesday to Sunday - 02:00 pm until 7:00 pm and during evening performances until 10:00 pm

admission

free

vernissage

27.05.2022
Register here

location

De Singel (Expo)

address

Desguinlei 25, 2018 Antwerp (BE)

curators

Hülya Ertas, Sofie De Caigny

producer

Flanders Architecture Institute and De Singel

scenography

Laura Muyldermans & LDSRa

with the support of

the Flemish Community

with additional support of

Beddeleem

R-Urban by atelier d’architecture autogérée (aaa), Colombes, France; © atelier d’architecture autogérée (aaa)

Caring Architecture

In 2022 the theme for the architecture programme is care. With this broad theme, the Flanders Architecture Institute and De Singel are focusing on the impact of care on the built environment. Care is about nurturing, maintaining and securing for the future. Architecture that cares sets itself apart due to its empathy for the context, the users and the makers. Caring architecture pays attention to the long term effects of its creation and existence, and is critical with regard to human activity on the planet.

More about this project