Exhibition

Coming of Age. Architectural Competitions in Flanders and Brussels

The exhibition Coming of Age presents an overview of the most sensational architectural competitions in Flanders and Brussels in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

27 November 2021 - 17 April 2022
free entrance Wed to Sun 2pm - 7pm
De Singel, Antwerp

Coming of Age

Through original documents and objects, both from our own collection and from the archives of participating architects, organisers and other involved parties, you’ll discover the story behind a number of striking architectural competitions.

The material still appeals to the imagination today and illustrates the richness of ideas that a competition can spark, even when they are not implemented. Putting the project proposals in the spotlight once again highlights afresh both the ambition of the questions asked, and the ingenuity and drive of the designers in every competition. Together these offer an insight into a burgeoning architectural culture.

Europakruispunt
Coming of Age. Architectural Competitions in Flanders and Brussels © Olmo Peeters.

10 cases

  • Europakruispunt, Brussel
  • Sea Trade Terminal, Zeebrugge
  • Paviljoen, Sevilla
  • Stad aan de Stroom, Antwerpen
  • Hoog Kortrijk, Kortrijk
  • Vlaams Administratief Centrum, Hasselt
  • Beurschouwburg, Brussel
  • Emile Braunplein, Gent
  • Museum aan de Stroom, Antwerpen
  • Concertgebouw, Brugge
download the exhibition guide
Coming of Age. Architectural Competitions in Flanders and Brussels © Olmo Peeters.

Architectural competitions

Architectural competitions play a major role in developing the architectural culture in Flanders and Brussels. They create space in which to come up with surprising answers to architectural questions. For the wide range of participants, they represent an opportunity to engage in an in-depth discussion about spatial challenges both big and small. Moreover, they give young, established, local and international designers alike the chance to reflect upon our built environment. As a result, competitions have coloured not only the architecture itself, but also the rich network of institutions and organisations that play an essential role in an architectural field that now enjoys international renown.

40 years of competition

project

40 years of competition

Architecture in Flanders and Brussels has come of age and is now firmly positioned on the international stage. How crucial is the role of architectural competitions in this success story? The exhibitions Coming of Age, Architectural Competitions in Flanders and Brussels and Open Call, 20 Years of Public Architecture both shed light on 40 years of competition. Unique archival material introduces you to the iconic entries and the mechanisms behind the most high-profile competitions.

Behind the scenes of 40 years of competition

Practical

date

27.11.2021 - 17.04.2022

open

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

closed

25.12.2021 & 01.01.2022

admission

free

location

De Singel

street

Desguinlei 25

postal code

2018

city

Antwerp

producer

Vlaams Architectuurinstituut en deSingel

curators

Mathilde Breukink, Sofie De Caigny, Petrus Kemme en Dirk Laureys

scenography

Eef Boeckx en Bart Macken

with the support of

de Vlaamse Gemeenschap

Project voor het Europakruispunt in Brussel prijsvraag Bonduelle 1983 Team Hoogpoort Stephane Beel Xaveer De Geyter Arjan Karssenberg en Willem Jan Neutelings LR

40 jaar wedstrijdcultuur

Architecture in Flanders and Brussels has come of age and is now firmly positioned on the international stage. How crucial is the role of architectural competitions in this story? The exhibitions Coming of Age, Architectural Competitions in Flanders and Brussels and Open Call, 20 Years of Public Architecture both shed light on 40 years of architectural competitions. And there's more... On this page you can find everything that is related to the project '40 years of competition'.

More about this project