(08-04-2015) City Hall, Antwerp (B) - FIRST PRIZE
We Win!
We are pleased to announce that our team – consisting of Hub, Origin, Bureau Bouwtechniek, Daidalos Peutz, BAS, RCR, FPC and Germaine Kruip – has won the Open Call for the restoration and refurbishment of Antwerp City Hall. The Antwerp City Council wishes to make several changes to the historic City Hall with a view to reconnecting it with the city. As part of the project, the ground floor will be opened up to the public while all councilors and their staff will be brought back under one roof. The project also presents an ideal opportunity to modernize and enhance the sustainability of the building.
Within the complete restoration of the exterior and interior, 2 modifications stand out in particular:
We reorganise the ground floor to create a clear and accessible space. We reopen all doorways in order to transform the space back into a truly public space. The main entrance will be moved back to the Grote Markt where it is connected via the monumental staircase to the “Schoon Verdiep”.
The second floor, currently unknown to many people, will be made equally important as the Schoon Verdiep. Because it is here that the majority of councilors and their staff will be housed. Two central, double-height rooms – the vestibules - will let in more daylight and open up the view towards the skies and historic bell tower.
Our winning proposal is part of an on-site exhibition celebrating the 450th anniversary of this Unesco enlisted building.