United in Diversity

Abstract

Our society is expanding and in response to this, cities are undergoing transformations. The pluralism of an individualized society, relating to one’s own needs and desires, is perceptible in the way we dwell in the city. However, this doesn’t mean that a larger cohesive (social) structure isn’t essential. Indeed, Brussels, the capital of the European Union that carries the motto ‘In Varietate Concordia,’ consists of several fragmentations on an institutional level aside from an archipelago of urban fields. Therefore, pursuing an architectural solution that ensures harmony between the varied wishes of society becomes more relevant. As a respond to the individualized society and an approach against the fragmentation on different scales, the design project aims to reconcile the existing amorphous urban tissue. In other words: it encourages the characters of the site do justice to their own identity and subsequently engages in dialogue with them in order to achieve a stronger unity. While keeping in mind that the neighbourhood is characterized by its below-average median income and high population diversity, fragmentation can be transposed into rich stratification only when pluralism will be embraced. The design proposes a new social housing block and an extended structure that holds a Martial Arts school. Adjacent to this, the Les Goujons is a remnant of the 1970s modernist social housing in which social carries different connotations. The proposed design includes shared amenities, which normally are not self-evident in affordable housing. These amenities are designed to be communal spaces that ought to bring the residents together. Besides that, a fixed spine through the building with perpendicular flexible walls allow the housing units to be diverse and have their own unique features. How the building is situated between three fragments and exposed to different border conditions, is decisive for the placement of the units within the building contributing to these features. The variation in housing units also plays an important role to the aforementioned pluralism of an individualized society. The design project suggests the theme of mirroring: it questions what to keep and what not, which then initiates a dialogue between the characters. In the context of the studio’s topic, spolia in re is primarily noticeable on the urban scale: higher residentials on the front side and industrial-sized structures on the rear side with a connecting courtyard shared by many. In materialism, the spolia in se points out the collective amenities. This is captured in a curated collection of the exterior as well as interior elements. From reused pavements and an imposing portal for the courtyard, wooden flooring for the winter garden to sanitary elements, tiles, fittings and non-generic doors to indicate these communal spaces.