Walle
Nestled in the center of Kortrijk, between the traffic junction "Het Ei" and Doorniksewijk, lies Walle, an old industrial site that once housed the BIC factories. This project transforms the area into a new, sustainable urban business campus that seamlessly connects with the surrounding neighborhood and city. It is a characterful place that builds upon several iconic heritage elements, offering space for both work and living, thereby adding value to the surrounding community.
The design uses heritage elements as the backbone for organizing the new buildings, creating order and clarity in the ambition to integrate mixed building typologies. This order applies to urban typology, functional typology, mobility, building scale, materiality, structural simplicity, and divisibility.
A fully accessible and public pathway is created, connecting the Blauwe Poort park with the existing residential neighborhoods. This new pathway integrates and strengthens the existing network of pedestrian and bicycle routes. Pedestrians and cyclists are given priority in the site's design, guiding the entire layout. The pathway is enhanced with a robust green structure, which not only improves the experience and visual quality of the pathway but also contributes to the overall aesthetic of the site. These green structures consist of native plant species that require minimal maintenance. The natural and spontaneous look of this planting harmonizes well with the existing industrial buildings.
Walle is characterized by a continuous row of workers' houses with small, repetitive plots. Currently, the site is perceived as a large, undefined open space in the street. The project aims to frame this open space. The ribbon development at Walle will be complemented by new residential volumes, folding into the site and connecting with the industrial heritage strip. This creates a funnel-shaped square with a green character, providing a counterbalance to the hard, paved surroundings of Walle. The green square draws visitors into the site. It creates an inviting environment with a cohesive blend of old and new architecture.
The existing buildings, known as the heritage strip, are being transformed into offices, co-working spaces, and a facility center. The new industrial buildings, located deeper within the site, are designated for SME purposes, with some featuring accompanying showrooms and/or offices. At the front, along Walle Street, is the residential hub with various multi-family dwellings. The base of these buildings, given their visibility, will also be allocated for office spaces. Finally, there is an underground parking beneath the residential building complex.
Construction - ongoing
