Rewilding Architecture
Natural City Scenes
Instructor(s):
Nele Stragier & Kristien Vanmerhaeghe
Engagement:
Craftsmanship
Location:
Brussel
Language/Taal:
English
Semester:
Semester 2, Spring 2026
- View the presentation here (pdf).
Description/Inhoud:
How can Brussels seamlessly integrate natural ecosystems into its urban fabric, creating vibrant biotopes that foster harmonious cohabitation between humans and more-than-human life? Starting from dense, mixed-use city blocks in Brussels, a masterplan will be developed through analysis and collaborative group work. Using sections and zoom-ins, individual architectural designs will emerge that integrate nature’s wisdom. These projects engage in dialogue with each other within the urban building block.
By designing with nature’s intelligence, we will craft architecture that is livable, spacious, and sensitive – poetic in its expression – using natural and reused materials. The details will reflect a true symbiosis between nature and architecture.
Through dialogue and co-creation, we strengthen this process, nurturing individual creativity and building shared stewardship for a resilient, thriving urban future.
> Please read the detailed assignment description here (pdf).
Line of inquiry/Onderzoekslijn:
Practice as Study / Working With
Topic, Thematic Focus/Thema:
Rewilding, nature inclusive architecture, circularity and re-use, co-creation
Key Questions or Provocation/ Centrale vragen en provocaties:
How can natural ecosystems be woven into Brussels’ built environment, creating new biotopes that support cohabitation between humans and more-than-human life?
How might we design with nature’s wisdom, crafting an architecture that breathes alongside the rhythms of the city?
How can dialogue and co-creation strengthen the process while nurturing individual creativity?
Methodologies or Formats / Methodologie:
Fieldwork, urban mining, context models, life-cycle analysis, user observations, iterative modeling, material research, co-create sessions, documentation of process and outcome
Design / Expected Outcome(s) / Ontwerp / Verwachte Resultaten:
An urban section between the built and the unbuilt, using experimental graphic systems drawings from different disciplines. Investigating drawing topographies and section models that will transform from the existing to architectural details. Imagining a multitude of natural city scenes and spatial atmospheres.
Deliverables / In te dienen documenten:
Analytical drawings, section drawing (axo), models, visual documentation, project booklet
Photo: Building Biosphere, Biennale Venice, 2025, Bureau Bas Smets