C.f. Møller Architects and BRUT jointly win the competition for an ambitious urban development project in Ostend, Belgium. The winning proposal by C.F. Møller Architects and BRUT for this new neighbourhood of 500 homes shows how densification on a human scale can improve the quality of life of the residents, the immediate surroundings and the city.
This urban development scheme revitalises the ‘De Niewve Stad’ in Ostend with 500 new homes consisting of a variety of low and tall houses and high-rises, a new spacious green park and a reopened creek. This will improve quality of life and create new shared spaces for the tenants and the surrounding neighbourhoods and give this new ‘city in the city’ a strong and attractive identity and attract new visitors to the neighbourhood.
The sense of community is enhanced by collecting compact houses around 3 distinct forecourts. The entrances of the houses are situated, along with playgrounds, neighbourhood functions on the ground floor and a compact car access and parking system. A new bicycle and walking connection to the city centre is established in the park and along with the re-opened creek this new area offers sustainable water management, recreational qualities and a new vibrant neighbourhood with stronger bonds between neighbours, the surrounding city and city and nature.