The design of the courtyard strives towards simplicity and homogeneity with its context. Rather than competing with the surrounding historical buildings, it only works to enhance their strong presence. The impressive buildings are literally reflected in the grand water mirror calmly sitting at the centre of the square.Walking through the gatehouse of Averbode Abbey one is confronted with a picturesque view of the abbots' quarters and its shimmering reflection in the water. The flexibility of the courtyard is guaranteed with the possibility to drain the water from its resting place, thus increasing the usable area of the courtyard for various events. Along with the water mirror, the quality of this public space is improved by the integration of its ancient Tilia trees, the old periphery wall and cobblestone path, as well as the integration of new parking spaces for visitors with reduced mobility. During the dark hours of the night, the square itself is dimmed by the light reflecting off of the church and other surrounding buildings and LED strips are used to accentuate the direction of the pathway. Taking into consideration the rich history of Averbode Abbey, it was imperative not to bombard its visitors with historical information, but instead to subtly introduce its past in the square itself. Hence, out of respect for the context all of the information panels, bins, and bicycle racks have been custom designed and manufactured in dark rusted steel reminiscent of the ferrous sandstone appearing in the façades of the abbey buildings.
View Original