Introduction
Background
Site selection
To decide the site I was going to work with, I first did a pre-selection of different vacant buildings in Belgium.
I decided to work in Belgium for a few reasons, as I’m a Belgian, it would be easier to understand the language of the documentation and I would still be able to visit the site.
I sorted those sites thanks to a few criteria such as :
– The location, it has to be well connected to its surrounding,
– The condition of the building, it should be totally dilapidated,
– The size, I wanted to work with a larger-scale building but it had to fit in the framework of a master thesis,
– The typology, this renovation project could be reproduced elsewhere,
– The documentation, I had to be sure to have received all the materials before starting,
And finally based on a personal feeling.
Chosen site
It is located in Brussels, it is in relatively good condition. The area of the building is about 2.000m², the documentation was received and a visit was possible during Christmas break.
Research questions
- How can the transformation of an existing building help to reduce the present/future mankind’s footprint by the reuse of the building and make it more environment-friendly?
- How can architecture socially support a neighbourhood?
In an urban context, how can a building influence people’s behaviour?
In a very dense area, can the creation of a social hub and housing improve the general feeling in a neighbourhood?