EXTRA - The added place to play, relax, sport, think, create

Zoë Cassady / Hanne Deckers / Maud Verjans

CONTENT

SITE

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ATMOSPHERE CURRENT CONTEXT PLANNED CONTEXT PROPOSED CONTEXT

VISION

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E X T R A : the added place to...

CONSTRUCTION PHASES PHASE ONE

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P R E P A R A T O R Y W O R K S 29

DEMOLITION SPATIAL RESEARCH TRANSPORTATION MODES

PHASE TWO

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VIADUCT

ACCESS ENTRANCE VIADUCT FURNITURE

PHASE THREE:

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EAST WING

TECHNICAL HALLWAY LEVEL +2 LEVEL +3 TILE STUDIO WALL ELEMENT

2

30 32 34 39 41 43 46 49 52 54 56 60 62

PHASE FOUR

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CENTRE

67 72 74 76 78 80

PHASE FIVE

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WEST WING

85 88 90 92

LEVEL +2 SECTION REUSE OF BRICK REUSE OF GLASS REUSE OF WATER

LEVEL +2 BICYCLE PARKING LEVEL +3

END RESULT

95 96 98 100

ROOFPLAN LEVEL +2 LEVEL +3

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TIR building

Thurn & Ta xis

SITE The TIR site, or the Transports Internationaux Routiers, is a large warehouse complex located next to the Tour & Taxis site and near the Brussels canal. It was built in 1958 as part of the world exhibition. It consists today of two large buildings, offering 160 000 m² of storage space and designed for logistical purposes. In the 1970s, a large concrete viaduct was placed alongside the buildings to enable trucks to reach the second f loor from street level.

The building that is considered for repurpose, is the smaller one of the two, building C.

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C U R R E N T

C O N T E X T

TIR building site

Public buildings

Thurn & Ta xis Park

Residential zone

Schools

Brussels-Charleroi Canal

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C O N T E X T

SITE

P L A N N E D

TIR building site

Public buildings

Thurn & Ta xis Park

Residential blocks

To be determined

Brussels-Charleroi Canal

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P R O P O S E D

C O N T E X T

In order to connect the new residential area and park of Thurn and Taxis to its surroundings a new road is layed out right next to the renovated TIR building C, EXTR A. This road will ser ve soft mobility. To make space for the new passage a part of the viaduct will be broken down.

At the intersection of the old and the new road the access for EXTR A will be placed. This forms the main inter vention to make the building publicly accessible EXTR A has three public squares: one on groundlevel, one on the viaduct and one enclosed inside the building.

EXTR A is located near the canal, the thurn and taxis site and other new places such as greenbizz and be.here Its surroundings make it a future hotspot near the city centre.

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SITE Bicycle street

Walk way

Existing road

Green zone

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VISION Building C of the TIR site will become “EXTR A”, a building where f lexibility, multi-functionality and reuse play a central role. We searched for a way to do as much on site as possible, using materials from the existing building. All of this we seeked to organise in an effective and sustainable way. Only the two upper f loor levels will be adapted to become of public use. In this way the building can keep its logistical function on level zero and one. This creates a division between the street level, where trucks and cars still have accessibility to the building, and the viaduct level. On the second level the viaduct creates a second ground f loor, open only to people by foot or by bike.

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the added place to play / relax / think / create

The TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) is a warehouse complex near the canal of Brussels, located next to the Thurn & Taxis site. It covers 160.000 m² of storage space and is connected to the waterway through a platform in the Vergrotedok. The building has a distinctive facade due to the refined window pattern. This is not the only thing that makes the building remarkable. Right in front of the building a large, concrete viaduct, connects the street level with the second level. It creates a permanent impression on the street. Through the addition of the viaduct, two different spaces are experienced: one below the viaduct and one above. Although both levels are used very often, they don’t offer a versatility of functions. Only one particular function can take place: logistics. While the usage of the bike and other carbon-neutral transportation methods should be stimulated, cars and trucks still gain all attention here.

Our starting point is to regain the public and human scale. For this, we put bike usage to the foreground. To achieve this we opt to change the function of the viaduct. Instead of trucks going up and down, it will be cyclists and pedestrians who will benefit from the viaduct. With a newly created access on the west side of the viaduct, consisting of a big open staircase and two elevators, both pedestrians, cyclists and goods can easily go up. To preserve a part of the logistical function, level 0 and 1 stay untouched. Level 2 and 3 will transform into a new place within the existing building. EXTRA: the added place to play, relax, think, create.

Our second fundamental idea is to strive for a building where f lexibility, multifunctionality and reuse form the central focus points. By doing as much as possible on-site and using materials of the existing building we prevent unnecessary transport and thus emissions. On-site, two building materials are manufactured, which are easily applicable throughout the whole building. The first one is a wallpanel made of wooden plates and recycled denim insulation. The second one is tiles made of demolition materials of the viaduct entrance and brick interior walls.

To create an efficient organisation on our construction site we work in five different phases. Hereby the finished parts can already fulfil their role as public space while the rest of the building is still under construction. This makes the building dynamic and forethoughtful.

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PHASE TWO

In this phase the access and the elevators will be placed. During construction the biggest elevator will be used for the transportation of building materials. After construction the goods lift will serve as a bicycle elevator. On the viaduct the public square is shaped by adding activators like benches, skate ramps and movable platforms. The entrance of the building is clarified by the enlarged platform that follows the existing triangle pattern.

PHASE THREE

The first function to be installed here is a tile atelier. Tiles will be manufactured to use as an elevated f loor in the public hallway. All technical functions lay underneath them. Some other functions in the east wing will also be definite: a daycare, a circular library and an information desk at the entrance to welcome the visitors. The spaces on level 2 directly connected to the viaduct will function as a commercial area.

PHASE FOUR

The centre is an open space due to phase one. Two double high spaces and an enclosed square can now be formed here. Wooden laminated spans are used to span the two columnless spaces. These are the only elements that don’t enter the building via the goods lift. Two helophyte filtering basins are placed on the enclosed square. After this the big window panels surrounding the square can be installed. The square is completed by laying out a surface of reused bricks.

PHASE FIVE

Here the construction logics of the east wing are used again. However, the practical experience gained during phase 3 (east wing) is used to improve the construction of this last building part. As in the east wing, some spaces are already defined in the west wing. There are a cafeteria and a bike repair shop and the backstage of the multipurpose event hall is formed. Other spaces are adjustable and f lexible for different uses. The last step of construction is to transform the storage hallway into a bicycle parking.

Now the building EXTRA is finished, it is ready to become a hotspot in the middle of a vibrant area in Brussels. By regaining the public, it can contribute to the shift towards a city for the people.

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VISION

PHASE ONE

Because of a new road that will lead to Thurn & Taxis, a small part of the viaduct on the west side of the building will be demolished. Next, a hallway of 7,5m width is freed up on level 2 on the same side of the building. All demolition materials will be stored here for later use. After this, an open area in the middle of the building is created by removing the top f loor and ceiling. In this way we create an enclosed square on level 2 so more light can enter the building. It also creates room for two double high open spaces. Thereafter the four existing cores are expanded to allow an occupancy rate of 1350 people per f loor.

CONSTRUCTION PHASES The following phases give an over view of the organisation on the construction site. We work in five different phases in order to make the finished parts accessible as soon as possible. In this way some parts of the building can already fulfil their role as public spaces whilst the rest of the building is still under construction This makes the building dynamic and multifunctional.

Another benefit of working in phases is that methods can be tried, tested and adapted first before repeating them in other parts of the building.

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27 CONSTRUCTION PHASES

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P H A S E

1 : P R E P A R A T O R Y

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W O R K S

D E M O L I T I O N

The first inter vention that takes place on the construction site is the demolition of a part of the viaduct. A new road leading to the thurn and taxis site will pass by the building and that is why the end of the viaduct will be broken down. We aim to obtain the deconstruction materials for future use. Therefore the next inter vention is to break down a hallway of 7,50m width. This huge space will ser ve as the main passage and storage for building materials. In the final phase of construction this will become a bicycle parking.

The third stage of demolition is making an open area in the middle of the building by removing the roof and the top f loor. In this way we create an enclosed square so more light can enter the building. On the other hand it creates two double high, open spaces where new activities can take place. On the next page you can find a study of the dimensions.

The next stage of demolition allows the existing four cores to expand. By enlarging the internal staircases from one to three meters, the escape routes become wide enough to allow an occupancy rate of almost 1350 people per f loor. The existing elevators within the building are maintained.

The last stage of demolition is adding seven new window openings per f loor in the east facade. We follow the existing rhythm. More light can now enter the building.

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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PHASE 1: PREPARATORY WORKS

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

+2

+3

S P A T I A L

R E S E A R C H

In order to construct a building suitable to adapt within the next 200 years, the existing spatial elements are examined. The TIR building consists of a grid of columns of 7,5m by 7,5m. This space allows a good basic structure for some functions, such as a workspace for 6 people. It could also be subdivided into smaller spaces, for exam-

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION SANITAIRES

ple to create storage rooms.

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However when thinking of the building as a public L G

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space, we want to allow the possibility for more elaborate spatial functions. Whilst studying main public functions, the need for larger column-less spaces can be distinguished. Therefore two large open spaces are created within the building, allowing new public spaces : sports-halls, auditorium and multifunctional event

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

way many sports can be exercised For the theatre we choose a smaller grid that can still manage 350 people.

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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

space. We opt for a sports hall of 22,5m by 37,5m. In this

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T R A N S P O R T A T I O N

M O D E S

The first steps to take in order to obtain a building, is to gather the needed materials. Depending on which materials are used and where they are coming from, the means to transport materials to and around the building site var y. With this project we want to avoid transportation methods that emit a lot of carbon dioxide. Also short distances are preferred.

In the graphical representation below a comparison of several transportation methods is made. This is done by taking into account their characteristics, such as average CO2-emissions, average speed and maximum freight volume. As you can see cars and trucks are, next to planes, the most heav y emitters. That, and the proximity of the canal, is the reason we want to get the most of our needed materials delivered by cargobike and cargoships.

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35 PHASE 1: PREPARATORY WORKS

By already placing the goods lift in phase one and on this side of the facade materials can easily get brought up. Once on level 2 the materials can directly be stored up in the anticipated space; a hallway of 7,5m width to store all the delivered and recovered building materials. During the whole construction phase this zone will function as a work and storage place.

In the final phase of construction this will become the bicycle parking.

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Because the slope of the viaduct is too steep to access the building on level two, a new access needs to be provided. We chose the most western

side

of

the

viaduct

for

this

access

point.

As a result of a new street, leading to the thurn & taxis site, a part of the viaduct is broken down on this part any way. (see planned context page 18). Because of this a new space takes shape between EXTR A and the Be.here (building next to it). The access becomes an open square, connected to this new street. By making the new street car-free, the two vibrant areas are easily accessible by foot or by bike.

A wide and open staircase on the square leads the visitor to the top of the viaduct. T wo new elevators are also added to the west facade which is connected with the wide storage hallway on level 2. The small elevator can be used for visitors to go up while phase 3, 4 and 5 are still in progress. The other, bigger, elevator is wide enough for building materials of a rather large scale to enter the building. This way materials can easily be transported from street level to level two. After completion the goods elevator will ser ve as a bicycle elevator.

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41 PHASE 2: VIADUCT

E N T R A N C E

The viaduct becomes a public space where events can already take place before the building itself is accessible.

In this way f lea-markets, art fairs, skate events, etcetera could be organised outdoors to give the citizens a first feel for the future activities in the building. The viaduct is a car-free zone. Vans and other small vehicles can go up through the slope during temporar y hours to deliver goods to the functions that are situated there. By adding activators like benches, skateramps and adaptable elements the viaduct forms an elevated square where people can escape daily life. The benches are made of the concrete from the demolished viaduct.

The entrance of EXTR A is situated right in the middle.

This is clarified by the enlarged platform which follows the distinctive pattern of triangle shaped platforms, an artefact of the past logistical function of this viaduct.

Also a three meter wide “EXTR A” sign is hung up here.

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V I A D U C T

F U R N I T U R E S

demolition materials such as brick and concrete are reused and molded into furniture elements.

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47 PHASE 2: VIADUCT

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The East side will be the first part to gain access. The unusable walls will be removed depending on the function that will take place.

On level two the spaces directly connected to the viaduct will function as a commercial area. In this way shops and bars can use the viaduct as an extended outdoor zone. Three functions will already be definite: a daycare centre, a circular librar y (both for books and workmaterial) and a workshop space. An information desk will be installed at the entrance to welcome visitors to the building.

On level 3 a ceramics studio will be installed. It will manufacture terrazzo-like tiles and furniture made out of demolition materials. The available demolition materials are concrete from the viaduct on the one hand and on the other hand damaged bricks from walls. These tiles will ser ve in the technical hallway as the raised tile-f loor underneath which the necessar y technical ser vices will be hidden. This principle is further shown on page 50.

All other spaces here are more private like offices, workspaces, ateliers, meeting spaces,... The dimensions of these space are free to choose and will remain adaptable.

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II.

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I. Daycare

II. Circular Librar y

III. Workshop Space

IV.Information Desk

Level +2 Scale 1:500

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PHASE 3: EASTWING

Demolished walls

Insulation

Water

Electricity & Ventilation

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I. Tile studio

Level +3 Scale 1:500

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PHASE 3: EASTWING

Demolished walls

Insulation

Water

Electricity & Ventilation

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T I L E

S T U D I O

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W A L L

E L E M E N T

We designed a standard wall panel of 1 meter width based on the existing column grid. Seven panels placed next to each other form a full and closed wall. Through this method we want to create a coherent feel throughout the building and prevent that ever y user must provide its own walls. Also, the panels can easily be removed and thus reused. Hence less material has to be transported and delivered.

(I.) The panels consist of perforated wooden panels,

insulated

with

recycled

denim

material.

(II.)The perforations have both acoustic and practical benefits. They are designed so that hooks can be clipped in to carr y lightweight tiles or shelves.

The benefit of this wall element is the easy assemble and removal method. (III.) First a wooden frame between two columns is made . (IV.) Then the panels of choice are placed in it. Five different types of panels are available, stored in the EXTR A building.

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PHASE 3: EASTWING

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The centre is the third part that will be open for public. In phase one big parts are already demolished to create an enclosed square and two big spaces. The first job is now to construct a new roof for the double high spaces. We do this by adding wooden laminated spans that are prefabricated off-site en will be mounted into the void with the use of a crane. This will be the only building element that doesn’t enter our building via the elevators or viaduct.

Also the large windows surrounding the square are installed. They are made out of reused glass parts (see p.74).

After this the enclosed square can be completed by adding the reused bricks for the f loor finishing. (see p 72) The brick is also used to create benches and play-elements on the square.

When these steps are finished, the central part of the building is open to public. This part is entered through the central hallway, which will function as the main entrance to our building from now on.

The first big space will function as a sports hall where multiple sports can be exercised. Between the two spaces you can find a technical block with showers and changing rooms. On level 3 is a bar where the supporters can sit back and watch the game. Also the technical room for the auditorium is situated here. The second big space is multifunctional. It can ser ve as an auditorium, cinema hall, theatre, concert hall and performance space.

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I. Sports hall

II. Showers

III. Bar

IV. Multipurpose space

V. Enclosed square

Level +2 Scale 1:500

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PHASE 4: CENTRE

Insulation

Water

Electricity

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R E U S E

O F

B R I C K S

The existing building is made out of a whole structure of different walls, which creates many different storage rooms. When changing the function, this layout will no longer be beneficial. Some of these brick walls will have to be demolished. When demolishing two different types of materials can be distinguished: bricks that can be reused as is, for example on the inner square, and broken materials which will be used to create terrazzo-like elements.

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R E U S E

O F

G L A S S

Glass is a precious material which is used in all building projects. However single glass is now often being replaced by double or triple glazing. In order to reuse this material we create a double hallway which has an inbetween temperature, of which the outside layer is single glazed. This single glass is obtained from reused glass parts of green houses. We have chosen to create a pattern with the basic glass sizes used in green houses.

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R E U S E

O F

W A T E R

Both rainwater of the roof and of the enclosed square is being collected. On the square the rainwater goes through the brick finishing, via a bitumen layer to a pipe system which leads to two large bassins on the square.

These bassins are connected to a semi-closed purification cycle, based on a helophyte filter (with marsh plants). The black and grey water of the building also come into this filter process, allowing it to be reused as non drinkable water.

Excessive rainwater, both from the semi-closed purification cycle and from the roof, is used to replenish the groundwater level. This happens through infiltration crates, which are put under the newly created access square. A visual representation of this is seen here (II.) On the other side of the building a permeable infiltration basin is provided for the same purpose. The groundwater level in Brussels is ver y low. The aim of this system is to be part of the solution to this problem.

I. section view of helophyte filter system underneath the enclosed square.

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III. pipe system of the two helophyte filter cycles.

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PHASE 4: CENTRE

II. infiltration crates underneath the access square.

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The westwing is the last part of the building that will be completed. Here the same methods are used as the ones used in the eastwing. The practical experience gained during the previous phases allows valuable additional information to improve how this last part is built.

In the spaces on level 2 connected to the viaduct EXTR A provides commercial space for professionals to display and sell their work. Here EXTR A also foresees space for small culinar y enterprises to display their talent. Deeper in the building some final functions are added like a bike repair centre and rehearsal rooms in the backstage of the multipurpose event space.

On level 3 spaces provide adequate workspace for professionals in different types of work. Both traditional offices, co-working spaces, workshops and studios are possible throughout the third f loor. An extra public space is added onto the third f loor, a cafeteria where all workers of the building can come together and enjoy a meal.

Working from East to West allows the hallway, created in phase 1, to be used as storage and working

space

until

the

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end

of

construction.

Now all work is done the storage hallway can be

transformed

into

a

public

bicycle

park-

ing. This parking allows the occupants to safely store their bikes whilst visiting the building.

In this final stage all functions can expand over the whole building. Now public, private and commercial functions intermingle.

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III. IV.

I. Changing rooms

II. Rehearsel rooms

III. Bike repair

IV. Bicycle Parking

Level +2 Scale 1:500

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PHASE 5: WESTWING

Demolished Walls

Insulation

Water

Electricity

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III. II. IV.

I.Seating Area

II. Kitchen

III. Cafetaria

IV.Outdoor terrace

Level +3 Scale 1:500

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PHASE 5: WESTWING

Demolished Walls

Insulation

Water

Electricity

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Zoë Cassady / Hanne Deckers / Maud Verjans Design Studio Circular BXL 2019-2020