Peter van Impe
Youthful. PHL Diepenbeek (Belgium)
Structural plan
In Hasselt, the Albert canal which is indicated on the structural plan of Flanders as a linear economical vector for the regional activity between Antwerp and Liege, has much more potential as an urban development zone than as an industrial one. That is why this long, narrow area, situated between the town and the water, was further developed using the northerly and southerly roads leaving from the centre of the town. Each road got its specific design theme, like recreation, history, education and nature.
Macroscale: “Vice Versa”
In the segment between the recreative area and the historical area, a renewed typology was requested for the town expansion. Based on the existing road pattern, an introvert character was created at the inner side of the boulevard Herkenrodesingel by building upon the enclosed zones, giving a meaning to the open space. At the outer side of the boulevard, this typological town image was realized “Vice Versa”, having the open spaces give a meaning to the buildings and creating an extrovert character.
Medium scale: “Verdronken Eiland”(Drowned Island)
The isolated project area “Verdronken Eiland” between the Albertkanaal, the Genkersteenweg, the Herkenrodesingel and the canal basin, is divided in five separate spaces: the business park, the art square, the shopping centre, the event square and the youth centre. These town functions are mutually connected by a heightened inner area, free of traffic, with an underground parking and a yacht port along the canal. Additionally, three typologically valuable actual buildings were preserved, as a reference to the industrial past and as a marking point in the whole project.
Microscale: “Youthful”
The youth centre “Youthful” has four fundamental functions: a hostel, a youth house, a boathouse and a centre for modern podium arts. The youth house, located in four existing tanks, represents the central meeting point in the inner area. The centre for modern podium arts is the link between the youth centre and the event square.
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