Lies van Herck

Castra Nostra is a design study that considers a possible repurposing for the abandoned army base in Geel. The military domain at Geel is part of a rich set of British Bases in the Kempen region. The domain is chosen as the study area for my thesis, with the aim of generating a new urbanization model that can be used in multiple locations. It is a study of new living/working forms and intelligent structures, as a qualitative and sustainable alternative to the subdivision principle. The large open nature is also a major asset of the estate. The area could become a large

live/work site in greenery, sparing as much open space as possible. Therefore, the design of this project started from the principle of building only on the existing footprints of the sheds.

Furthermore, Castra Nostra is primarily an examination of what existing military structures have to offer us and how they can guide an urbanization model. Thus, it starts from the analysis of the existing spatial structures that have formed in the camp. These military structures form the basis of the redevelopment. By using the discovered grid and the principles it entailed in a different way, we obtain an appropriate densification strategy. Not only do the military structures provide the necessary densification, they also form the basis of the building structures. By projecting the military principle onto an existing footprint, numerous possible interpretations and variants arise. Therefore, the military logic provides a very large handhold and a varied playing field for an architect. For more detailed information or the further elaboration I would like to refer to my thesis "military structures: germs of a new use of space".

 

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