City of Antwerp Pavilion

Antwerp, Hanzestedenplaats

2018

City development

A month ago a new pavilion opened at the base of the MAS. The Diamond Pavilion used to be here, as an intro to the new diamond museum. Now it deals with the urban development of the city of Antwerp. Inside you will find several large models of projects that are still running, such as the Noorderlijn. There is a large screen on the back wall where you can discover urban development projects and view historical plans. So you can discover urban development projects from the past and future.

Current urban development project 1: Het Eilandje

The part of Antwerp that I know best: Het Eilandje. I sometimes compare this district with a phoenix. Over the years it already had various functions: military port, trading port, museum quarter, … Each time this area manages to reinvent itself. The last big boost was given by the MAS. There are only a few projects on the scale model: the museum, the new Port House, the Red Star Line Museum and the Schengenplein. But there is much more going on, including a dock that is being built for houseboats.

Current urban development project 2: De Noorderlijn

The Noorderlijn (northern line) is the project for a new tram connection between the center, the Eilandje and further to the north of Antwerp (Park & Ride at the junction of the Noorderlaan with the A12). A number of roads are also being tackled in this project, such as the Noorderleien, the Rooseveltplaats and the Operaplein. The latter in particular is spectacular. The going-through traffic must take a tunnel under the square where the new Opera premetro station is located. Some remnants of the Spanish ramparts from the 16th century will also be integrated, such as remnants of the Kipdorp bridge and the Kipdorp bastion.

Current urban development project 3: The City Hall

At the part about the town hall that will be thoroughly renovated in the coming years, there is a large model of the building. It is 1m70 wide and is 3D printed. Stereolithography was used and in various parts. It works with liquid resin that is sensitive to light. A laser beam hardens the resin in the pattern of the model and so the machine builds the model, layer by layer. With this technique details can be used. Pay attention to the wood patterns on the inner walls of the town hall. The luminaires also provide light. To explain it visually, a video below:

Current urban development project 4 + 5: Labo XX + Gedempte Zuiderdokken

Labo XX is a testing ground that investigates 20th century areas outside the Ring. Due to rapid population growth in recent years, there is a need for new homes in these areas, but also for facilities and workplaces. Labo XX investigates where and how these new developments can be accommodated. Why the area outside the Singel and the Ring? Because the area inside begins to silt up and in the area outside, there are still various options for improving and renewing the urban fabric. Next to the table with explanation about Labo XX is another model about the Gedempte Zuiderdokken. People are already working hard to turn a gray parking area into a green zone. The design for the new park is presented here.

Project in the spotlight: New South

New projects (and models) come into the spotlight every three months. The first is a model of New South. Here it is clearly explained which architect has designed  or will design which building and how tall the buildings will be. Also interesting are the films that the project developer Triple Living made of the architects of the buildings. You can find them on the Triple Living site or you can view them here.

Through time – Digital wall

On the back wall you will find gates with projects from the (sometimes distant) past, such as the project by Gilbert van Schoonbeke here on Het Eilandje. On the digital wall you can scroll with the circle and indicate whether you want to see maps of this area from 1660, 1770, 1850, 1920 or 1960. You can clearly see, for example, that the city park used to be part of the Spanish ramparts. Try it yourself. Behind the map, various projects pass by, if you click on this, you will get a little more explanation about the project. This includes among others den Bell and the new Port House.