Zuidboulevard

On 1 October 2016, a new public library opened in Waregem as part of the transformation of the southern side of the town centre. The library belongs to a larger urban ensemble that also encompasses a square, three blocks of flats with retail premises on the ground floor, an urban boulevard and an underground car park. This is an extension of Het Pand, an administrative and commercial centre that is a modern urban project from the 1960s and 70s. (...) The qualities of the design from the 1960s and 70s are given a contemporary interpretation in the Zuidboulevard, which uses the slope of the site in an analogous manner. Once again, a car park that receives natural light is slid under a broad urban esplanade. As a consequence, the public space already begins in the car park, which is connected to the boulevard by two substantial staircases. The green quadrants of Het Pand are also transposed in a contemporary style: so as not add too much weight to the deck, the trees are planted in the staircases. Together with an area of water and a lawn, they punctuate the large urban design figure and, just as in the 1960s project, add nuance to the monumental gesture. (...)

Sofie De Caigny - Excerpt from Flanders Architectural Review N°13. This Is a Mustard Factory