Article on research and exhibition ‘'BWMSTR Label. Construct, room for change' in A + 292 “Oversize: Adaptive Reuse”.

Oversize is about scale, about large volumes and precise details. Oversize is not a reason for a generic structure, rather an invitation to a generous design. The Flemish Government Architect already emphasized this in his ambition memorandum and, together with BULK architects, also devoted a BWMSTR Label to it. “The research for the project Construct, room for change”, writes Bart Tritsmans, “is a plea for the reuse and creation of robust buildings that embrace oversize and allow flexible use.”

BULK architects received the 21st Bouwmeester Label in 2019-2020 for our study 'Construct: the architecture of the construction'. We investigate how more attention for structure and construction can contribute to a resilient, robust city.

The exhibition 'BWMSTR Label Construct, room for change' shows the results of the research and presents tools for a changing practice.

We will open the exhibition on 12 November. In two panel discussions, we bring together various actors from the construction sector to reflect on the future of robust buildings and their impact on a changing city. Architects and engineers as well as project developers and chief government architects take the stage to think about the future of robust buildings.

With speakers: Jasper Ponjee (BULK architects), Olof Grip (General Architecture), Erik Wieërs (Flemish Government Architect), Mario Rinke (University of Antwerp), Evi Swinnen (Timelab Ghent), Peter Gestels (Van Roey) and Steven Decloedt (AG Vespa). Moderator: Edith Wouters (Ar-Tur)

OPENING TALK
12.11.2021 at 20:00
Muziekstudio De Singel in Antwerp.

EXPOSITION
13.11.2021 - 17.04.2022
De Singel International Arts Centre, Antwerp

The Faculty of Architecture and Design of the Technische Universität Berlin is organizing a study trip to Antwerp led by Prof. Mechthild Stuhlmacher. To support their current design assignment, they visit a series of urban projects, including Pension Van Schoonhoven and Het Vliegertje. As an introduction, Koen Van Bockstal will give a lecture for architecture students on schools, building in the city and the Antwerp context on 29.10.21.

Last Wednesday we had the pleasure of hosting Urs Meister, Mario Rinke and students from the University of Liechtenstein in our office. Koen gave a lecture on Antwerp history and we talked about re-use, intelligent ruins and retrofitting. 

On Friday 22 October AR-TUR presents the Toolbox ‘Dorpse Architectuur’ in OC Kasterlee.

The Toolbox ‘Dorpse Architectuur’ presents a wide selection of inspiring examples tailored to the village. The book offers design tools in the form of village 'figures' and 'tactics' for plural living. And it outlines the preconditions for a good process. Tom Verstraeten conducted photographic research into spatial strategies that help determine the individuality of villages. Midden Boechout is one of the project stories in the publication.

RSVP & presale publication via AR-TUR.

BULK participates in Day of Architecture. You can visit two projects and our office building on 17 October. Come and see!

Info and registration via the following links (Dutch) :

D/a : Boechout Midden
D/a : Pension Van Schoonhoven
D/a : office BULK architecten

At the initiative of group Van Roey the research group VUB Architectural Engineering developed a practical guide for clients and designers who want to realise sustainable and circular school buildings.

The manual helps clients and designers on their way to sustainable and circular school buildings. Example project Het Vliegertje – Design&Build kindergarten & elementary school in collaboration with Van Roey - illustrates the aspired circular design qualities.

Construction of project Paalstraat has started. Article on construction of notary's office and houses in Schoten (Dutch).

The Architecture Foundation and Brickworks Vande Moortel present a series of films focussed on the Belgian city of Antwerp. The series, which has been developed with support from the Flemish Architecture Institute and Flanders House, will comprise films about recent buildings in Antwerp as well as issues of city-wide concern.

Lecture by Koen Van Bockstal on three projects that BULK architecten has designed in Antwerp: a shelter for homeless people, an integrated kindergarten and housing scheme and a new residential development on the waterfront at Cadix.

Interview with Tom Vermeylen about Eric Sasse social housing project, working on collaborative teams, BULK architects and shared visions on building at contractor Houben.