Our proposal retains a significant and well loved post-war
council office and integrates into a new complex of local
government buildings. The new buildings are the same height
as the retained block, and the buildings in the surrounding
area, and are closely integrated into the gardens and
landscape around.
The new building is a passive, low energy, sustainable
building, with loggias on the façades that keep summer
sun out and let winter sun in. The windows open to provide
ventilation and to cool the building at night. Water is recycled
and energy use is minimised.
The building will last a long time: It is very flexible and can
be easily re-planned when things change. It is made from
long lasting, low maintenance materials. The retained offices,
which are an important part of the history and memory of the
region, become a part of the new public façade of the building
on the main road. A large new canopy on this façade makes
the entrance absolutely clear. People can walk in the gardens
on each side of the new building and through the interior
courtyard and public foyer seeing government at work,
making the building a real public place for the people
A new seat of provincial government
located in Antwerp, Belgium.
