We are proud to announce that the graduation project of Frauke Soetewey, who recently obtained her Master of Architecture, has been selected for the exhibition WE ARE THE NEXT GENERATION. This exhibition is the centerpiece of the WONDER Creativity Festival at the Budafabriek in Kortrijk and will run from 16 October to 2 November 2025.
Out of 228 submissions, 37 projects were selected by an external jury. They evaluated the entries based on social relevance, innovative character, sustainability, exposability, and overall quality in the context of the exhibition.
Frauke’s thesis stems from a personal journey into the history of her family in the Antwerp polders, where four villages disappeared due to the expansion of the port. “Hearing about a church in the port of Antwerp set this process in motion. Although the church initially appealed to me because of the absurd situation in which it is located, I later realized it carries much more meaning about me and my family. Four polder villages had to disappear for the port’s expansion, displacing 4,500 inhabitants, among them my grandparents.”
In her work, Frauke takes on different roles: voyeur, draughtswoman, and designer. “I investigated the history of the polders by observing objects and architecture that still exist. I then let architecture speak through visualizations of testimonies from residents and descendants. Drawing served as a process of reflection, which I then used in my design practice. Finally, I employ architecture to express critique on the disruption caused by the port, combining existing elements in unusual ways.”
With this layered project, Frauke connects personal memories and collective history with a critical perspective on the spatial and societal impact of port development.
More information about the exhibition: wonder-festival.be