Marc Koehler Architects (MKA) has taken first-place in the Open Oproep 28 design competition to design a leisure center, dubbed "The Missing Link." The competition challenged them to develop a community center, art center, and library for a municipality in Belgium. Located in suburban Edegem, the design strives to become the region's cultural hub and form a cohesive connection between its established public spaces.
A collaborative project with Delobelle Architecten and DELVA Landscape Architecture, the proposal takes a respectful design approach due to its central location within a crop of historic landmarks. Nestled within a 19th century garden and neo-Flemish Renaissance structures, the new leisure center expertly incorporates these elements through a dual volume design. An upper volume houses the library and nods to the surrounding architecture, while below, a glass pavilion frames the garden and hosts the community center. Through these means, the new structure establishes a sequence between the city's cultural points and provides areas for exhibition, reading, and reflection.
In addition to the competition's prescribed program, the leisure center incorporates a residential element to boost the value of the region. Located in a privileged section of Edegem, the funds obtained by selling these properties can be funneled back into the project, allowing it to meet sustainable and energy-efficient goals.
A central part of the community, the leisure center places the public at its heart, working closely with Edegem inhabitants from the start of the design process. As plans are solidified, the design team will continue its partnership with local residents to ensure the new center best caters to its occupants' needs.
Construction of The Missing Link will begin in late 2016.
Architects
Project Architect
Carlos Moreira (MKA)Design Team
Marc Koehler, Carlos Moreira, Ivo Jelinek, Marjin Luijmes, Martina Giordanengo, Susana Ayres, Simon Jiracek, Robby Delobelle, Brecht Pot, Steven Delva, Pieter Theuws, Rens Wijnakker, Sander Van Den BoschCollaborators
Delobelle Architecten and DELVA Landscape ArchitectsClient
Gemeente EdegemArea
2180.0 sqmProject Year
2016Photographs
Courtesy of Marc Koehler ArchitectsProject Year
2016Photographs
Courtesy of Marc Koehler ArchitectsArea
2180.0 m2
