STW0018 - BRUSSELS - Klavertje Vier
design: a school square for cycling
type: open space
client: City of Brussels
designteam: act. (Studio Thomas Willemse + Emilie Bechet + Sarah Poot)
participation: WAUW
mobility: Tractebel
stability: Metriek
photography: Corentin Haubruge
time: 2019 - 2024

The Helihavenlaan follows the route of an old railway line that meanders through the neighbourhood, connecting local facilities and community life. The new square will not only be for the school but a proper neighbourhood square with a school, a kindergarten, a sports hall, a community centre ... serving as a meeting place.

The square has long concrete lines referring to the old railway track, with integrated benches that facilitate encounters and interaction.

Between these lines there is space for additional planting and rows of trees with various species already present in the neighbourhood. Trees of modest size on the school side and tall species on the tower side help bridge the scale differences between “short” and “tall” buildings.

the square will become a mosaic drawing that residents of the residential towers can enjoy from their high balconies

Red clay pavers add colour as a large mosaic visible from the adjacent towers. The existing cobblestones are reused for the roadway. A single traffic lane is maintained, but it is significantly narrowed locally to slow down traffic. This will create a traffic-safe square.

The connection to the raised ground level between the towers will be made via a large landscaped staircase. This staircase allows passage and rest, simultaneously serving as a meeting place and a connection with the school.

To encourage children to cycle to school, bicycle challenges have been placed on the school square. These are indicated by playful letters on the lampposts and become part of learning to cycle through play. These are modest but effective interventions that lend themselves to intensive use.