Jean-Christophe Culot & Sébastien Schautteet & Julien Steegen
Liège Guillemins – a new urban axis. ISA Saint-Luc Liège (Belgium)
Following an analysis including a certain number of criteria, the project can be based on a three-level concept being Europe, the city and the district. From this reflection could a planning of the project be established as well as its location by zones on the site and its interconnections.
The analysis reflects an ambitious, dynamical and optimistic project developing like a rhizome with various functions and being integrated to the city. The core of the project is a huge green space, the unifying element of the three levels of the project. This green space also plays a role of distribution, circulation, connection and buffer space throughout the site.
From the TGV station, new connection tool, three multifunctional towers and a hotel face its main square, holding their own against the enormous structure developed by S. Calatrava. On the city-level part of the project, a library and an administrative part are linked to the financial tower. On each side, a sports centre and a few housings suit the district-level physiognomy and functions. The last part of the project includes cultural aims and ‘Horeca’ (hotels, restaurants and catering) and represents the symbol of the city entrance. This symbol also bring to the fore the Meuse and the Parc de la Boverie, absolute lung of the “Cité ardente” (hot-blooded city).
The movement and distribution between the various activities allow relations, stroke up amongst different parties, to identify the project as a consistent whole, linking the station to the Meuse. Always keeping in mind the basis concept of the three levels, the landscape treatment of the public areas, the expression of the facades and the selection of the materials contribute to the harmony and homogenization of the proposal.
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