Mixed-use Town Centre Regeneration

Following BACA’s award for Masterplanning at MIPIM, the Practice was approached to create a landmark development in a coastal resort town in Belgium, as part of a wider regeneration scheme. The scheme incorporates a new plaza in front of the existing station and public route leading through to the local market. The development was formed from a series of ‘L-shaped’ blocks to provide a high density of accommodation close to the street level, and space between tall blocks, allowing sunlight into the public realm.

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The project includes a hotel and nightclub along the railway line, and supermarket, retail and office units at ground and first floor with residential apartments above.

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An interactive BIM model was used to explore options quickly. Extensive studies were carried out to test the impact of different massing on light to the surrounding areas. The apartment towers are orientated to allow sunlight into the public square, only creating shade across the railway line, car-park and main road.

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