Title:
Weiterbauen 3.0
Instructor(s):
Mechthild Stuhlmacher, Aga Batkiewicz, Freek Dendooven
Engagement:
Craftsmanship
Location:
Gent
Language/Taal:
English / Nederlands
Semester:
Semester 3, Fall 2025
Description/Inhoud:
The studio revolves around an exploratory study for the redevelopment of an exisiting structure with a heritage value. This semester’s case will be Het Trappenhuis in Gent (former Macarius school), a brutalist schoolbuilding designed by Eric Bailliu and Johan Baele (BARO) whose first design dates from 1965. The building was originaly inspired by Herman Hertzbergers Montessori school and was built in several phases.
Architecturally, the assignment focusses on the discovery and (re)interpretation of existing qualities, internal conversions and extensions, subtle and bold new-build interventions and fundamental sustainability. From an urban planning perspective, we examine the spatial possibilities of the existing site, possible (renewed) relationships with the surroundings and the role and meaning of public and collective spaces and gardens. Programmatically, we focus on the design of a school as a defined program.
Line of inquiry/Onderzoekslijn:
Material Reality / For Real / Practice as Study / Working With
Topic, Thematic Focus/Thema:
Heritage, conceptual and programmatic intelligence, craftsmanship
Key Questions or Provocation/ Centrale vragen en provocaties:
how to deal with brutalists heritage and what is a appropriate design methodology
how can we renovate this specific architecture sustainably
how to translate a concrete program into an existing structure
what can be the added value for the neighborhood
Methodologies or Formats / Methodologie:
Analysis reference projects, the history of the site and context
Programmatic research using a realistic brief (programmatic van eisen)
Translating a masterplan into a personal architectural language
Design / Expected Outcome(s) / Ontwerp / Verwachte Resultaten:
Design of a programmatic and architectural masterplan for the entire site ( in smaller groups)
Architectural design of a fragment in detail, image research, structural research, model making
Deliverables / In te dienen documenten:
Presentation
Reflective, illustrated essay or ‘project journal’
1 Model on scale of the masterplan
1 Model on scale of the fragment
- Find the full studio brief as pdf here.