Joris Brouns

My project is located just outside the tourist centre, but still belongs to the historic city of Ghent.

The green bank of the river Leie is characteristic of this part of the city. Plans made up by the city council take into account this ‘natural’ feature.

My design intends to take up this ‘green’ aspect, while attaching deeper layers of meaning to it. By using the medieval idea of a ‘hortus conclusus’ (enclosed garden) different elements of social, historic and contemplative relevance can be added to the green aspect.

The idea of an ‘enclosed garden’ is quite broad. Therefore it can also be interpreted on a contemporary way. Typical of this type of garden is, that it has its own, steady rhythm. Thus it will gradually take its place in the social fabric of the city, possibly even function as a kind of sanctuary inside the city.

The role attributed to the garden turns this project into an experiment of how a contemplative feature can be turned into architecture in a contemporary, secular and unconventional way.

There are two important parts. First of all, ideologically inspired verticality is turned into horizontality. But this horizontal view is blocked and replaced by the possibility of insight and reflection.
The second element is water. The idea is not to create a motionless water garden, but to introduce a dynamic aspect by including the river within the garden walls.

This design is supposed to create an environment, considered as a present day cloister, that visitors present the possibility of reflection on the cultural dynamics of the city. A florist’s shop on the street side will function as a buffer. This part can be like a sun room, looking out onto the green bank of the river Leie.

 

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