Architectural Design V-IX: Palais (A.Fonteyne)

Abstract

As citizens and architects, we may suddenly find ourselves confronted with developments that genuinely astonish and intrigue us. This is precisely what recently happened to us. In Brussels.

Objective

Thinking through architecture. Building awareness on the impact of design gestures and spatial decisions. Understanding architecture as composing with what - and who – is already there. Learning from precedents. Engaging with an architecture of the senses. Developing new vocabularies, methodologies and formats. Engaging with representation and observation in architecture and urban design Learning how to work together allowing space for individual exploration.

Content

Stalingrad, Brussels. Regardless of its controversial name, this is a neighbourhood cherished by its many inhabitants as well as the international visitors it welcomes. An arrival point near Brussels-South station, offering newcomers a perspective. And also the place for the best Moroccan pancakes outside Morocco. Palais du Midi. Built in the 19th century as a market hall to attract more affluent people to shop in the centre of Brussels, the Palais du Midi is now a 30,000 m² ensemble of rooms and spaces used by 35 sports clubs and housing three schools, serving 5,000 users each week. Façadism. Since 2019, we have seen a “Palais of Dust,” surrounded by an ongoing construction site to extend the Brussels metro network. To keep these complex works moving, demolition of the Palais—except for its façades—has suddenly and unexpectedly been deemed inevitable. As this shocks many, six scenarios have been explored. At one extreme is abandoning the metro works to save the Palais; at the other is sacrificing the Palais to optimise the mobility network. Alternative Futures. We will approach these scenarios without prejudice and explore how we, as architects, can contribute to the development of a constantly changing city—making architecture for valued communities, whatever a building’s transformation. How do you keep what you might lose? How do you make visible what seems to disappear? Activists and Pragmatists. We will divide ourselves into two groups. The Activists will oppose the Metro 3 project and develop a proposal to transform the existing building without demolition. How can we use the current situation to make the Palais an even better version of itself, preparing it for a resilient future? The Pragmatists will accept that the building must be sacrificed to make way for Metro 3. With or without its retained façades, they will rebuild a Palais, reflecting on new opportunities while developing empathy for dispersed communities and lost material. Pragmatist Activists and Activist Pragmatists may find each other somewhere along the journey. Let’s Bob and Weave! Brussels is waiting for new solutions. We’ll search for them in three sparring rounds.

Resources