deSingel International Arts Campus

Memory of project by Stéphane Beel Architects

The new building is situated between the ring road of Antwerp (Singel), the Jan Van Rijswijcklaan, one side of the 8-shaped existing low-rise of Stynen and the slope next to the Blue Hall. The new low-rise, a closed plinth, houses the offices of the Flemish Architecture Institute (VAI) and some facilities that improve the functioning of deSingel. The new high-rise, a horizontal disk, rises above both the new and the existing low-rise and is structurally independent. The horizontal disk profiles itself as a beacon to the ring and interacts with the three towers in the area: the BP-Building (now AXA), the Cresthotel (now Crown Plaza) and the vertical disk that rises above the halls of deSingel. This volume houses the Conservatory of Antwerp.

Between the plinth and the horizontal disk is a transparent box that connects to the existing corridors of the Blue and Red Hall. This box contains several public functions including a multimedia reading room and a café-restaurant.

The design of the building incorporates a range of simulating processes. Spacious circulations carry the audience along the outer sides of the building. Large windows overlook the urban landscape and the ring road, maintaining contact with the outside world. At the same time the visitor is exposed to the inner working of the building through overlapping spaces, unexpected depth views and perspectives.

The arts campus is a dynamic environment that offers new possibilities and aspires to maximise this potential for the public, artists and students through its new infrastructure.

Text.- Stéphane Beel Architects.