019 De Waterspiegel Ghent

The building is the first implementation of an urban and architectural competition for the redevelopment of Meulestede Noord, a former harbour area in the North of Ghent.

It houses a local service centre with administrative, educational and recreational spaces. The site is a small city park in the garden of a former castle.

Building in the park demands a pavilion-like building with all sides treated equally. The footprint of the building reminds of a leaf, fallen from a tree. The facade, like a garden fence, is clad with fibre cement boards of dif-ferent colours. A studied colour scheme provides a gradual transition of the wallcolour depending on the context, street or park. The green roof is visible from the two adjacent residential towers.

One enters the building into a high foyer, which provides an overview of all functions in the building. An open staircase connects the two levels. From this central space one has access to all the rooms.
A large cafe is located on the park side. This area enjoys extra height under the roof and is in visual relationship with a large fitness room on the first floor.

Read a newspaper, play petanque, have your hair done.
Dance the salsa, borrow books, improve your cooking.
Everything grouped around one open centre: place m’as tu-vu.
Have a drink. Play Billiards. Catch up.