De Republiek

De Republiek acts as a collective memory and cultural anchor point in the centre of Bruges. During the renovation of this dynamic urban building, Architectuuratelier Dertien12 went in search of remnants of old, long forgotten stories and hidden spaces, which the architects revealed with new interventions. So they created additional workplaces, co working places, starter places and urban laboratories. They also included the relaunch of De Republiek, a cultural cafe, and the Lumière cinema. The city cafe is now located in the previously rundown spaces on the ground floor. All the buildings act as a kind of filter between the street and the inner garden. By renewing the patrimony within this building block to make it more transparent, the architects ensured that this active site is more visually accessible and able to participate in city life. The project represents both a mental and a 'stone' restoration. It is a place where new ideas are given the opportunity to germinate and grow. De Republiekunveils itself as an urban renewal project.

This text is based on the project text provided by the architects.