STW0054 - GENT - Meibloemsite
design: landscape design between residential towers as new urban balconies
client: SoGent + City of Ghent
designteam urbanism and landscape: Studio Thomas Willemse – collaborator: Bram Vidts
construction expert: Erik Vandenpoel
period: 2024
NL / EN
How to turn an old industrial site in the interior of a building block into a public space?
The Meibloem site in the Brugse Poort is in need of a future vision. This inner area of a building block has a strong social character. On the broader scale, there is also a need for park space in the area.
Together with the neighbourhood and city services, a future vision was developed.
The urban reading teaches us that the Brugse Poort consists of a puzzle of parks. From the existing parks, we learn what could work for the Meibloem site as a destination.
From three simple scenarios: complete park space, buildings on the edge of the site and buildings central to the site, a design study was initiated. The modular model served as a discussion starter at participation moments with both the neighbourhood and the city services.
the model is used a design and presentation medium, five strips are mixed and matched
The acquired feedback was incorporated into a decision tree. This combined various aspects of the three scenarios into a preferred development vision.
Throughout each step of the process, principles were established that will be part of further developments.
This approach resulted in a preservation of existing patrimony, bookend buildings that serve as gateways to the site, a well-enclosed park, strategically placed new buildings that serve old structures and easily understood and appropriable spaces for both people and nature.