The project focuses on the urban renewal of an abandoned postindustrial complex in Hoboken, southern Antwerp.
The meticulous process of observing a given site, understanding its identity and documenting findings through various media was inspired by referential artistic endeavors of the past and proves viable today in a time where spatial obsolescence including its potentials is at the forefront of architectural thinking.
Thus a new approach to sustainable use of existing spatial situations was worked out and applied in a final architectural design project assembling a new downtown in an area currently neglected.

This architectural history thesis examines the „Studentenhuis Weesperstraat“ (1966) in Amsterdam, designed by Herman Hertzberger (*1932) as a representation of his philosophy towards creating architecture. This being one if the earliest examples of Hertzbergers work, it serves as an accurate display of his meticulous approach to architecture during the development of structuralism in the Netherlands. The research consists of the retrospective analysis of his philosophy including its development, based on interviews as well as his own published recollections and a historical case study on the building in its original state. By way of immediately projecting his theoretical framework on this practical manifestation the study adds to the current body of knowledge concerning Hertzbergers work and design philosophy.