Sint-Andries

Renovation and transformation of the sociocultural meeting center Sint-Andries in Antwerp.

Year ︎︎︎ 2023 - ...
Status ︎︎︎ Pre-design
Commission ︎︎︎ Competition, 1st prize
Surface ︎︎︎ 3150m²
Budget ︎︎︎ 6.8m€
Team︎︎︎ TM URA-ALTSTADT (ALTSTADT icw URA Yves Malysse Kiki Verbeeck), Tech 3, Bollinger+Grohmann, Daidalos Peutz
Client ︎︎︎ AG Vespa

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ALTSTADT, in collaboration with URA Yves Malysse Kiki Verbeeck, has been assigned for the renovation and extension of of the sociocultural meeting center Sint-Andries in Antwerp.

The fascinating site, in use since the mid-18th century, currently houses various cultural and social organisations under the name COSTA. As a meeting centre, it forms an open and welcoming living room for residents of all ages and origins from the Sint-Andries neighbourhood, an authentic and diverse Antwerp folk neighbourhood. As a cultural centre, it offers a combination of different rooms and infrastructures.

The 3150 m² project aims to strengthen and expand the existing cultural and social offer. The current infrastructure will be renewed and better tailored to the needs of the various user groups. The current complex collection of buildings and halls ranging from valuable historical heritage to temporary constructions will be partly restored and partly cleaned up. Three new volumes will stand side by side with the existing constructions, bundled under a uniform and lively roof landscape.

Spatially, the green passage, connecting Sint-Andriesplaats to Prekersstraat, is the backbone of the project. Along this passage, the project's various functions are given a clear address. The inner agora, combination of foyer, library and café, is the social heart of the project. Next to it, the outdoor agora, a new green square with covered space, forms a shared space for the various youth and cultural organisations on the site.

The project has high ambitions in terms of sustainability. The currently completely paved site will be softened by at least 50%. Heating and cooling will be fossil-free, with a geothermal heat pump powered by PV installation. Existing valuable heritage will be meticulously insulated and adapted to contemporary standards. A participation process with both users and local residents will ensure social support for the project.

Work is scheduled to start in early 2025.

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