Onze Lieve Boogie Woogie
Amersfoort-Stadhuisplein (NL) - Special mention
TEAM PORTRAIT
INTERVIEW
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1. How do you define the main issues of your project in relation with the theme “Re-sourcing”? Re-sourcing thanks to nature, to social dynamics, to new materiality? In which way do you think your project can contribute to an ecological and/or social evolution? And in which way do you think your project can be called a “regenerative project”?
The project interprets re-sourcing through social dynamics, by harvesting existing local initiatives, cultural practices and civic structures as key urban resources. Adaptive reuse of the Stadhuis, ecological corridors and phased development allow social, spatial and environmental systems to evolve together over time, making the project regenerative rather than static.
2. How did the issues of your design and the questions raised by the site mutation meet?
The site connects to Amersfoort’s historic centre, cultural infrastructure and temporary use. The design restores continuity within the urban fabric by re-establishing pedestrian routes, breaking down large volumes, emphasizing important viewlines and a contextualized roofscape. Elevated theatres and a renewed Stadhuisplein transform the site into an activated and continuous public landscape.
PROJECT:
The project builds upon Gordon Cullen’s Townscape theory and the Nolli map to bring the design closer to the medieval city center. Mondriaan’s Broadway Boogie Woogie has been an inspiration to interweave cultural programmes with everyday urban life, from flaneur to performer. The Onze Lieve Vrouwen Toren inspired the main focal point of the theatre project, to anchor it within the city.
SITE:
Our assignment explicitly asked for a phasing strategy, so this has been carefully thought out. Beyond that, our plan is a framework that invites many local cultural actors and the community to participate from the start. It would be interesting to see this participatory project evolve into a cultural hub, through continuous engagement, discussion, feedback and adaptation with the local community.
REFERENCES:
We are a multinational collaboration of professionals in the fields of architecture and urbanism, as practitioners, researchers, theorists and/or teachers. We are located in the Netherlands and Greece. Through our mutual network of (former) colleagues, we came together for this competition. Our complementary backgrounds combine conceptual clarity with pragmatic strategies.
6. How could this prize help you in your professional career?
We see Europan as a platform for international exchange and knowledge sharing, opening space for dialogue with peers, institutions and future collaborators rather than as an end in itself. This social dimension to the project is very unique. We hope that the special mention will reinforce confidence in our approach, give us credibility in the eyes of future clients and help the city of Amersfoort.
TEAM IDENTITY
Legal status:
Team name: Boogie Woogie Collective
Average age of the associates: 33,4 years old
Has your team, together or separately, already conceived or implemented some projects and/or won any competition? if so, which ones?
Our team has been formed specifically for this edition of Europan. As individuals, we have done multiple projects that are listed below (from left to right):
1. Dario - EHV8 (Yellow)
2. Dimitrios - Villa Rubik (Red)
3. Mark - Bridging the Metabolic Rift (Blue)
4. Dimitrios - Cold Tutto (Yellow)
5. Dario - The Eindhoven School (Blue)
6. Mark - Barcelona Wall Competition (Red)
7. Phoebus - Fracala Central Square (Red)
8. Dimitrios - Pierss (Blue)
9. Mark - Sunset Park Pool, Brooklyn (Yellow)
WORKS:
