In many port cities around the world, port-related activity is shifting away from traditional locations to more productive areas. The vacated port areas are slowly being transformed into fully-fledged parts of the city. The March issue of the Architect shows how to turn the harbor into a city without polishing away the past.

'Lovingly designed robust urban architecture'

Project Cadix A5 in collaboration with Sergison Bates and Bovenbouw is featured in de Architect ‘From harbor to city’.

Article in Nook magazine 2022 / #1: Cross-pollination, the power of collaboration about the production of BRAEMPRAAT. Filip Dujardin, Dimitri Leue and Koen Van Bockstal talk about the collaboration on this piece where Dimitri Leue brought Braems text ‘Het lelijkste land ter wereld’ (‘The ugliest country in the world’) together with music by Steven Taelman, photos by Filip Dujardin and a set by BULK architects.

‘By building a little bigger now, we can build less in the long run’.

Interview with Jasper Ponjee in De Standaard about robust open buildings for the future.

The book Room for change (Ruimte voor verandering. Robuuste open gebouwen voor de toekomst) will be published on April 13.

“The research by BULK architects shows the value of robust open buildings that embrace excess and enable flexible use. Out of a curiosity about history and future possibilities, Room for change contributes to the convergence between architecture, structure and sustainability.”

Following the launch of the book, the Flanders Architecture Institute (VAi) and the University of Antwerp (UA) invite Stephen Bates (Sergison Bates architects) and Koen Van Bockstal (BULK architecten / UA) for a lecture on 13 April at 8:00 PM. at the University of Antwerp.

In the run-up to the March issue of De Architect, Merel Pit and Tracy Metz dive into the theme: From port to city. “The city is advancing, the harbor is moving. Where is there still room to live? Well, in the harbor!”. In this last episode of the series about the former port area, in addition to Koen van Bockstal, Rozemie Claeys (AG VESPA) is also a guest.

A+ investigates today's Belgian brick architecture, paying attention to the technical, constructive and physical aspects of the material.

“In the Cadix district in Antwerp. Sergison Bates, Bovenbouw and BULK realized a city block of five buildings. The result - 200 flats and 26 commercial premises - shows how brick can upgrade urban living.”

Project Cadix A5 in collaboration with Sergison Bates and Bovenbouw is featured in A+294 “Back to Brick”.

Pension Van Schoonhoven included as an example project ‘Spatial Efficiency’. With this campaign, the Flemish government wants to offer inspiration to developers, architects, environmental officials or builders who are involved in construction projects on a daily basis. A database of striking examples of spatial efficiency.

Watch the video report and read the interview with architect Koen Van Bockstal (BULK architects), landscape architect Bjorn Gielen (Landinzicht) and client Anke Van der Jonckheyd (OCMW Antwerp) on the website of the Environment Agency.

Article about the redevelopment of the Arena district by Renaat Braem. The team FVWW Architecten + Bressers Erfgoed has been selected for the renovation of the buildings in the southern periphery. Commissioned by AG Vespa and Woonhaven Antwerp, the design team CLUSTER + BULK + KARUUR + WIT continues to work on the Master Plan for the new Arena district: a green, car-free neighbourhood, smooth and comfortable passages for cyclists and pedestrians and a clear connection to the surrounding public space.

Construction of the youth centre will start this spring, a place of its own for the various youth associations around the historic Master Schmid farm. After the sports room, BULK architects, together with BUUR, HOSPER and ARA, are working on the next series of buildings within the Masterplan Park Groot Schijn. In a second phase, the Scinthoeve on this site will be renovated into a multi-purpose youth center and party hall.

BULK wishes you happy holidays and a cheerful and inspiring new year!

Our offices will be closed from Friday 24 December 2021.
We will be available again from 10 January 2022.