Bart Waeben
't Materiaal Station. UHasselt (Belgium).
The Hasselt shunting station is an extensive location that enjoys little recognition among the residents of Hasselt. The total area of the shunting station and the station itself is as large as the historical center of the city. These grounds are managed by the NMBS, which handles them as a hub. In the year 2025, a completely new maintenance hall will be built on this site.
Additionally, we find two vacant buildings at this location. In this project, we focus on one specific building. The existing roof structure, which is at risk of collapsing, will be removed and replaced by a new volume that covers the entire area of the building. This construction rests on top of the existing facade, which consists of a concrete skeleton filled with masonry. Inside, this structure is supported by the existing concrete structure, which has already been reinforced with massive metal profiles. The added volume raises the existing working height, enables new functionalities, and provides natural light behind the solid walls of the hall. Furthermore, several volumes are placed on top of the building, providing additional workspace and ensuring ample natural light in the project. These volumes are designed as shed roofs and complement the industrial character of the repurposing.
The project includes a central covered street that serves as a starting point for visitors to explore the building. This space also functions as an exhibition area for incoming materials and offers opportunities for lectures and exhibitions. It forms a clear separation between areas for activities with dirty and clean aspects. This creates a workshop for circular materials, establishing a strong connection with the existing train infrastructure.
SCHUNCK cannot guarantee the correctness of content and expression. The participants themselves are responsible for their entries. The copyright of the projects underlies to the authors, any reproduction or use of the shown material is strictly forbidden.