In the medium-sized city of Turnhout, part of the ring road will be tunneled, freeing an area between the centre and the city park. The Master plan for this area comprises of several interventions, re-instating the existing park as a ‘Central Park’ for Turnhout. The key element is a dyke above the half-submerged tunnel. The dyke formalises a new urban edge and extends the park over the ring road towards the city. It is at the same time a barrier to and vantage point over the park. In the park itself several scenic interventions enforce the existing structure. At the other side of the dyke a row of 4 towers, evenly spaced, marks the southern limit of the city. The proportion of the towers allows for different programs, living, offices and the extension of the neighbouring hospital. Between the towers low rise buildings are developed around courtyards which open towards the park.
Competition i.c.w. Technum, 1st Prize.
Year
2008
Location
Turnhout, BE
Type
Mixed use,
Office,
Public,
Residential,
Urban
Status
Unbuilt
Surface
40 000 m2
Client
City of Turnhout/AWV
Collaborator(s)
Technum, Bureau Bas Smets
Design team
Kersten Geers, David Van Severen, Steven Bosmans, Bert Rogiers, Saskia Lorenz, Denis Glauden, Sho Kurokawa, Stanislas Peeters, Andrew Power