Perpetua Schick

The theme of the work was the modernization of a slaughterhouse to a cultural centre in Eupen, Belgium. In the new concept, a cultural association in Eupen - called Chudosnik Sunergia (Russian: artist, Greek: fusion) - is going to be the supporter and administrator of the location.

The analysis of the slaughterhouse complex, from its construction in 1902 till its closure in 1991, shows that the historic value lies in the building complex as a whole and not in the individual buildings. Central problem in the discussion was to discover which of the old elements were important or necessary for the new cultural centre. Could or should one work consciously against these?

In the design, the additive buildings – the existing ones in rows and the new ones added in piles – will be combined to one unit, becoming one cultural centre. This is done by additional walls, which clearly define the location in interplay with the old ones.

A second artificial level – underneath the artificial one from 1902 – is used to join the old and the new one. The created synergy, the theme of Chudosnik Sunergia, becomes the guideline for the design. In the presented design, the elements from the new lower level will rise high whereas the old components go down into the earth. The elements come up where the rooms of the old slaughterhouse do not give enough space for the new functions of the cultural centre. Therefore, the vertical plane may be seen as a counterpart to the old horizontal course. The new level is connected with the old level in the third dimension. Thus, living together is only possible in the addition. The theme of dovetailing will also be continued in the details. This will be intensified particularly at the intersections - through flooring, possible mixtures in function and the lighting in the inner rooms.

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