Invisible Voices
Designing for Everyday Needs through Participation
A. de Koning (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
R.M. van der Schans – Mentor (TU Delft - Teachers of Practice / A)
F.J. Gouwetor – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Digital Technologies)
More Info
expand_more
Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.
Abstract
Invisible Voices investigates how architecture can support inclusive urban transformation by actively involving underrepresented residents in the design process. The project focuses on the redevelopment of a former factory site along Lageweg in Antwerp, located between the disadvantaged neighborhoods of Kiel and Hoboken. This location presents both spatial and social challenges, such as outdated infrastructure and limited trust between communities and urban authorities.
Rather than starting from a fixed design concept, the process began with on-site presence and engagement. Through collaborations with local organizations, including a social grocery store and a mosque, the project used various participatory tools such as drawing sessions, model-making workshops and narrative interviews. These methods aimed to capture residents’ everyday experiences and translate them into concrete architectural decisions.
The final design consists of a mixed-use urban block that brings together housing and local facilities. The ground floor includes a socially focused supermarket tailored to the needs of vulnerable residents. Above this, diverse housing typologies are introduced, responding to themes of affordability, social contact and adaptability. The spatial layout and architectural language are directly shaped by the input gathered through community involvement.
Invisible Voices responds to a central challenge: how can architecture contribute to socially sustainable densification without overlooking the people already living there? The methods developed in this project are grounded in one specific context, but offer broader insights into participatory design in post-industrial urban areas. By connecting research and design, the project highlights how architects can create spatial solutions that are both inclusive and resilient.