Kortrijk - Social housing complex Plein 4

The study and design assignment for the execution of a social housing complex at Plein 4, with integration into the surroundings and the historical city centre of Kortrijk was awarded to Czvek Rigby, Vers.A. For this assignment, Czvek Rigby, Vers.A forms a team with Studio Thomas Willemse, Gevelinzicht, BAS Architectural Engineering, Tech 3 and Macobo.

Central to the designers’ vision is improving the spatial integration of the building into the city. With its location in the historic city centre, the project is seen as a future node within a finely-meshed network of pedestrian routes and green zones. By focusing on a high-quality residential environment and better accessibility for slow road users, not only the green network is strengthened, but also access to the park, schools, adjacent residential areas and the future connection to Buda Island is optimised.

The design proposal stands out for its clever use of preservation, demolition and addition. The partial demolition of the existing residential building creates two new volumes with clear addressing. This intervention opens up the building block and strengthens its relationship with the surrounding public space. The narrow streets with tall buildings change into a generous and open residential yard. At the same time, scale and appearance are handled carefully. By connecting to the grain of the surrounding buildings and showing respect for protected townscapes, both residential volumes are designed as quiet, clear buildings that contribute to the heritage character of the city. This will create a new piece of the city. This design proposal translates the project definition - which focuses on the importance of integrating a social housing complex into its spacious surroundings and the historic city centre of Kortrijk - in a particularly convincing way.

In terms of living and living together, strong choices have been made: the entrance areas function as meaningful meeting places and the spacious terraces are used as fully-fledged outdoor rooms. Moreover, the 42 residential units are cleverly organised within the two compact volumes. This results in exceptional living quality: each dwelling functions as a corner flat with light coming in through two facades - a rare feature in urban contexts.

The design focuses on soft mobility and connects the residential yard to surrounding schools, the city park and future cycle routes. This creates a safe and accessible living environment.

As a housing company, SW+ manages more than 4,500 social housing units in Kortrijk and Wevelgem. On the Plein 4 site in Kortrijk, SW+ has an apartment building with 70 one-bedroom flats. The Plein site is strategically located: it borders the historic city centre and is within walking distance of Kortrijk station. However, the building dates from the late 1960s and no longer meets contemporary standards. 

In consultation with the city of Kortrijk, SW+ wants to realize a high-quality social housing project here. Together with the redevelopment of the residential building, its embedding in its surroundings is an important (design) question. After all, the site forms a strategic junction in an important open-space network: the historic Begijnhofpark, Stadspark ‘t Plein, De Leie (new connection with cycle bridge), the Messeyne city garden, the Guldenbergplantsoen and the Houtmarkt. With the planned redevelopment of the Plein site, the aim is to focus on the quality of the public space and its relationship with the new residential programme and its architecture.

The objective here is to achieve a high-quality, sustainable and differentiated elaboration. This assignment involves a built programme of 4,000m² (± 45 social rental flats, mainly type 2/3 and 2/4, and some 1/2). Both the possibility of complete replacement construction and the possibility of (partial) renovation should be investigated, paying attention to technical feasibility, circularity and the conscious management of materials. The design of the open space (both private and public) is part of this assignment. The district’s accessibility and (green) squares as connecting elements play a crucial role in this. The tenderer’s proposal should therefore go beyond the layout of the residential building in the vision development for the site.

For this assignment, we are looking for a multidisciplinary team with knowledge of and experience in architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture and public space design.

The designer will take into account at least the following points of emphasis:

• The site is directly adjacent to Kortrijk’s historic city centre. The ambition is for the new residential building to (re)integrate into the neighbourhood while respecting the different architectural styles.
• The design offers added value (in terms of both architecture and landscape) for the entire site, creating an urban-renewal effect, with respect for the protected cityscape and valuable heritage, but also paying attention to open space, desealing, greening, play areas and walking and cycling connections.
• We aim to realize a logical, sound and sustainable design, where budget-friendly architecture, use of materials but also sustainable and circular design prevail.
• The applicable standards of the Housing Agency Flanders apply here.
• The design team should develop a vision encompassing living in a residential area, innovative housing forms, ground-floor living, communal facilities and a public space and mobility geared to this. A contemporary approach to parking and mobility issues is an important point of attention.
• In terms of energy consumption, the design should comply with Flemish Energy Agency guidelines so that the energy cost for occupants is kept as low as possible.

Included in the assignment 

• architecture
• stability and special techniques
• layout of the private surroundings (terraces)
• EPB and ventilation reporting
• safety coordination

Selection conditions

Proof of registration with Order of Architects

• one member of the project team must provide proof of registration 

Project team

• The design team should consist of an architect, urban planner or landscape architect with at least 5 years of experience as project manager.

Reference projects

• 1 reference demonstrating the candidate’s experience in designing (social) housing in an urban environment,
• 1 reference demonstrating the candidate’s experience in designing a building with a specific relationship to the public space,
• 1 reference that the candidate considers relevant to the assignment at hand.

The following holds for these reference projects:

• The reference shows how the designer deals with the context, the surroundings and the existing patrimony.
• The reference should explain what role the designer fulfilled in the submitted project.
• The reference projects can be built, under construction or in the (pre-)design stage. Competition entries can also be submitted.
• Reference projects carried out at another agency or employer may be used. Also here, the designer’s role with regard to the reference project should be explained. In order to use these reference projects, no ‘reliance on capacity’ of the other agency or employer is necessary.

Selection and award criteria

See the selection guideline