Stijn Creten
Science Park Waterschei : symbiosis of nature and architecture. PHL Diepenbeek (Belgium)
Science park Waterschei in Genk is located on an old mining site. Notable about the location, is the presence of nature, the stateliness and the perspective. Both the strong presence of nature as of the mining history are the roots that will shape the building.
The program is defined by robotics, micro-electronics and nanotechnology, making it a co-operation of physical research (cleanrooms, production halls) and virtual research (offices, programming).
The designed building is the entry building of the park. It will house offices, but will also offer space for visitors, with the abilities to host seminars, lectures, conventions, guided tours and more.
The concept links the site with the program. The building is functionally divided into two zones, based on the needs of perception. The first zone , with the open-plan offices, has the need of maximum openness; the connection with the surrounding area is mostly important in this case. The second zone has no need for views and daylight; it holds toilets, storages, shafts and all vertical circulation.
The floor plan is thus divided into three strips. The outer strips will be used for open-plan offices. The central atrium in between them will be the backbone of the building; it holds the secondary functions.
The shape of the building refers to the mining history of the site. Eight cores grow as pillars of coles out of the ground, and will push the sideway sods upwards along with them. The whole building becomes an extension of the surrounding nature. The sods for the offices slide through the landscape, are locally pushed up, and seem to go floating near the cores. This creates a dynamic shape which at the same time looks calm; it connects the peaceful nature with the search of the science park for an inventive and dynamic appearance.
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