PORTA 1070

Brussels, Belgium

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Ket & Co

PORTA 1070

Brussels, Belgium

Firm

OSK-AR architecten

Type

Educational › Elementary School High School Auditorium

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2019

SIZE

10,000 sqft - 25,000 sqft

BUDGET

$10M - 50M

The project is situated in a densely populated and very busy - almost chaotic - piece of Anderlecht, Brussels. The building site is narrow and has a very large difference in level over the total length. furthermore, the building plot is wedged between an old warehouse and the iconic neighborhood “Scheut” church and connects two very different parts of the city.The at that time forgotten church was also part of the assignment and had to be incorporated as a part of the new school, that would be organized in the renovated church and a new adjacent school building.

PORTA 1070 acted as a pilot project for the development and architectural translation of a brand new educational concept for Belgium; the so called Tienerschool (literally translated as Teenage school) focusses on more playful, organic and made-to-measure learning where students are apt to learn as much from each other, as from the teacher. Instead of the classic and strict concept of classrooms, connected by narrow and monofunctional hallways PORTA 1070 introduces inspiring learning landscapes that are organically divided in different zones and moods that accommodate and trigger different types of learning; individually or in group.

The historical church was respectfully renovated and refurbished into a multifunctional sports hall and refectory which are in turn complemented by classrooms and workshops.
As many original elements of the interior of the church as possible have been preserved; the beautiful stained glass windows, which were used both in the windows and in the depiction of the Passion of Christ, have been cleaned, protected and preserved by means of ball-proof glass. An interesting tension arises between the past and the contemporary use of this church.
On the semi-subterranean floor of the church, classrooms with an open learning landscape and a teaching kitchen are accommodated. Here, too, the historical character of the church is made subtly perceptible by leaving the heavy, weathered concrete beams and columns visible in the space.

The new building, which was subtly embedded next to the church, accommodates the additional classrooms, the teachers' lounge, an auditorium, several music and art studios and science labs. Completely in support of the overall concept of PORTA 1070 the traditional classrooms make way for open landscapes that are divided by challenging and playful furniture in order to create different learning atmospheres and invite the students to learn more independently and start exploring.

In spite of the urban and dense context of the project, the outdoor spaces feel remarkably inviting and spacious. The central playground in the heart of the site is enclosed by the church and the new building, so there is always an optimal and interesting interaction between all exterior and interior spaces of the school. The playground also cleverly responds to the difference in level by using planters and big sitting steps. Abundant low and high greenery is planned to be planted in the next building stage, so that the playground can really become a green oasis in the highly compacted building block.

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PORTA 1070

Brussels, Belgium

Other Projects by OSK-AR architecten

Ket & Co

PORTA 1070

Brussels, Belgium

Product Spec Sheet

Collaborating Firms

Team