Weysen & De Baere Architects recently won a competition to design a multi-funcional hall with a daycare center and small library in Sint-Katelijne-Waver, at the outskirts of Antwerp (Belgium). The building measures around 2.100m2, and spreads over 2 stories. The program occupies a significant part of the intervention site and in order to guarantee a building as compact as possible, the multifunctional hall is centered on the site. More images and architects’ description after the break.
The daycare center along with the library and supplemental spaces are strained as a ring around the hall, thereby stimulating optimal programmatic interaction. The result is a significant outer space being available as playground. The building is shifted to the existing curve in the road, thereby allowing optimal access to the building as well as granting sufficient privacy to the neighboring residential area.
The optimal orientation of the building provides a plentiful amount of entering daylight along with broad views to both the private playground and the public road. The first floor could possibly provide extra space to the daycare center and the library, positioned adjacent to the double height multifunctional hall.
A uniform materialization of the road and sidewalk promotes slow traffic and visualizes a link to the existing school on the other side of the road. The area, southwest of the building is programmed as playground space.
