After the renovation of the social housing complex, designed by architect Alfons Francken, Woonhaven decided the public space deserved an upgrade as well. In this neighborhood with its multicultural inhabit-ants, the public spaces are used intensively as places for diverse social interactions between all age groups. OMGEVING used this context as inspiration and designed a colorful, high-quality courtyard. The design is simple and strong, with a multicolored rubber carpet, draped in the center of this geometric space. The floor has a slight slope which creates an enclosed space surrounded by multifunctional edges on which people can sit, lie down and play. On the spacious rubber floor, play equipment has been placed at random as well as some trees. This project was nominated for the Public Space Prize 2011.
Geelhandplaats - Antwerp info
| title | Geelhandplaats |
| location | Antwerp |
| client | Flemish Association for Social Housing, ‘Woonhaven’ |
| contact person | Mark Fierens |
| status | completed |
| period | 2006-2010 |
| surface area | 2.500 m² |
| schedule | safe playground with access for emergency services |
| tasks | design, technical detailing, site supervision |
| team | Bert Van Looveren, Koen Moelants, Kristof D’Hooghe, Luc Wallays, Peter Seynaeve, Peter Swyngedauw, Tom Beyaert |
| project leader | Peter Seynaeve |
| constructor | Krinkels nv |
| prizes | nomination Public Space Prize (Prijs Publieke Ruimte) 2011 |
| 2012, Dopress Books, ‘Geelhandplaats’ in Art + Scape! (Shenyang, China) | |
| 2011, Steunpunt Straten, ‘Geelhandplaats, Antwerpen’ in Praktijkboek Publieke Ruimte 2011 (Berchem) | |
| 2010, ‘Geelhandplaats, een plein met dubbele belevingswaarde’ in Stad en Landschap (Herentals) | |
| links | www.landezine.com |
| www.architectura.be | |
| links |