URBAN PLAYGROUND /
youth center citadel park
project
Just like nature classes are organized for primary or secondary school, educative school trips can be organized within the urban environment. With its extensive cultural offerings, Ghent can be considered to be interesting for a trip where class-activities can be combined with educational cultural experiences. The provided site is the Citadelpark located just outside the city center and also houses the Museum of Fine Arts, the International Convention Centre, and the Floraliënhal. More specifically the vacant lot next to the velodrome is allocated.
concept
The program to be organized includes classrooms, sleep facilities, cafeteria, and an exhibition hall. Two primary considerations for the development of the project are the integration and connection of the youth center with the existing infrastructure, and the centralization of the programme to maintain the scale of the environment.
The facades of the adjacent buildings: the Floraliënhal and the velodrome are complemented by the introduction of an L shape volume, completing the courtyard. The juxtaposition of these programs allows a two-way interaction. By cutting the volume into different parts, the centralized core is separated into a dense cluster, creating small interesting outdoor spaces which enrich the adjacent spaces.
Another key aspect is the organization of the circulation. By limiting the vertical circulation to three locations, an interesting system of horizontal circulation is developed, consisting of walkways, bridges,... Concepts that are key to the design are discovery, adventure, and perspective.
year
2016
category
Academic Project / Architectural Design Studio III
mentors
Bert Haerinck
Trice Hofkens
jury
Bert Haerinck
Lieve Van De Ginste
Trice Hofkens
Dirk De Meester
Marc De Kooning
design
Jerom Dhaenens
Teo Van Hoecke