Central Squares and Riverbanks, Deinze, Belgium

In the redevelopment of the city centre, the restored relationship with the River Lys forms the starting point. The presence of the Lys generates an enormous quality for the city: the watercourse is the bearer of urban identity. The course of the river defines the structure of the city centre. Contact with the Lys is made possible by the construction of a mooring quay, a promenade and a square in front of the Church, located on the bend of the river. Whereas the Central Square used to be a functional area with more attention paid to traffic circulation and parking, the interventions around the Lys transform the heart of Deinze into a pleasant place to stay and meet.

The renewed Central Square can be seen as one mineral plain, going from façade to façade, from the Lys to the Schipdonk Canal. For this, the architects were inspired by historical documents. A canopy is placed on the old foundations of the city hall, which serves as a city gallery. The four colour squares accentuate the scarce but valuable monuments of Deinze. The colours are a remedy against the monotonous, grey image of an average market square. Their interval divides the market into recognisable spaces and interstices. The project is a result of close collaboration between the architects and artist, Benoît van Innis. The seasonal themes of the landscape painters of the Lys region were a starting point for the artist inspiring his choice of palette for the site-specific interventions.
Client
City of Deinze
Architects
Robbrecht en Daem architecten, Marie-José Van Hee architecten
Program
Public square, riverbanks and market hall
Location
Deinze, Belgium
Date
2009–2012
Status
Completed
Floor Area
25.110 m2
Team
Paul Robbrecht, Hilde Daem, Johannes Robbrecht, Marie-José Van Hee, Carmen Osten, Kobe Van Praet, Valerie De Ketelaere
Art Intervention
Benoît Van Innis
Structural Engineering
Studiebureau Engitop
Landscape
Robbrecht en Daem architecten icw Marie-José Van Hee architecten
Contractor
Stadsbader (Public square and riverbanks), Aswebo (Market Hall)
Nominations / Awards
Prijs van de Vlaamse Bouwmeester 2013