The project ‘KIEVIT IN HET GROEN’ of the Belgian-Dutch team BUUR – HOSPER, associated with ARA, has won the international design competition ‘Kievit Phase II’ organized by the city of Antwerp. The concept of BUUR – HOSPER has been set up around three basic components: identity, greenery and shelter.
The public space of the Kievit district has a threefold function: international oriented entrance of the central railroad station; urban working space; green space for the residents. This is the reason why the project focuses on a strong identity: as conciliating element between the different atmospheres and users; as structuring public domain for the entire neighbourhood (both old and new).
The green touch was a well determined choice. The heavy green structure offers consistency to the neighbourhood as a whole and gives it an urban green character and image. Trees will be planted at every available spot and will determine the characteristic ’all seasons’ aspect of the area. The project also includes ‘green cushions’: they shape the space and offer shelter through informal green play gardens and seating places. New planted, vertical walls will be part of this green identity.
The project also integrates all the necessary spatial and infrastructural connections, liberating the Kievit neighbourhood from its former isolation. The neighbourhood will be rooted in its surroundings by explicit spatial connections both in north-south and east-west direction.
