Portfolio Thibaut Van der Beken

Portfolio Thibaut Van der Beken

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About me.

I finished my Master’s degree in Engineering and Architecture at the Catholic University of Leuven and Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet at Trondheim. During recent years, I’ve been actively involved in numerous artistry organisations such as Duplex, Triplex, Existenz, BACAtelier and FABLAB. While on Erasmus stay in Norway, I started a company “Madihus” with four friends, which I sold partly as a result of the Corona pandemic. During this Corona pandemic, I’ve commenced my first steps as an independant architect through a collaboration with Parallel Architecten/United Experts. However, I can’t wait to broaden my horizons upcoming years working in an exceptional architectural environment.

Doing so, aspiring to further develop a design philosophy, hopefully in an international context.

On several occasions, I’ve been trusted with responsibility. I was elected by my fellow students for the position of organizing the ExistenzWeek 2017, and during my internship at Miss Miyagi, I successfully co-coordinated the social project Hal5 from design till realisation. Furthermore, during my internship at dmvA, I was the team leader for an architectural competition in Paris. I am still very grateful for the trust and responsibility given to me during these projects.

This compressed portfolio is a selection of the most relevant sample of my work. It reflects my personal interests and hopes to persuade my capabilities of working both individually as well as working within a (professional) team. The booklet includes a Bachelor project hoping to highlight my progress over the years as an architecture student.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any inquiries or further questions.

Yours sincerely, Thibaut Van der Beken

01

Van der Beken Thibaut Kris A. Languages: Software strong:

basic:

Recreation:

EDUCATION

15 juni 1995 Menen, Belgium

English C2, Dutch C2, French B2, Norwegian A2, German A1.

Adobe Suite, Office, Autocad, SketchUp, Lasercutting & Woodworking, Enscape.

Java, Archicad, Cinema4D, Rhino, Grasshopper, Revit (educated or internship).

Teaching Graphic design at KULeuven (2019) and NTNU (2018), travelling, squash, running, drums & percussion, winter sports.

Catholic University of Leuven:

Department Architecture Master Civil Engineering & Architecture, option Architectural design. Graduated Cum Laude

Jan. 2020

NTNU

Jan. 2020

Erasmus & foreign Thesis.

Catholic University of Leuven: VOL-VCA Safety certificate.

Department Architecture & Engineering CEVORA

Centre of adult education.

Feb. 2015

Vrij Technisch Instituut, Roeselare.

Jun. 2013

Graphic Design.

Highschool: Industrial Sciences.

EXPERIENCES

Architect at Atelier P with Parallel Architecten.

Setting up a new architectural office as a new division of United Experts in Bierbeek. Taking the lead design for project De Kluis: a 7,000 m² business centre in Hoogstraten, Belgium.

Founder of M.A.Di Norway.

Developing prefabricated homes for Norway and Sweden. (Accelerated startup through NTNU) www.madihus.webflow.io & www.madihome.com

Junior architect at dmvA.

Working on a various set of projects from urban planning to residential programs after my Bachelor’s degree. www.dmva-architecten.eu

Internship at Miss Miyagi.

Coordination of the social project “Hal5” from design till realisation. Rejoined in 2018 as summer job. www.missmiyagi.eu

2019-2020 2018 2016 & 2018 2016-2017

Resident at BACAtelier, Leuven’s Culture Department.

2016-2017

Responsible at FABLAB KULeuven.

2015-2018

Active Member at Duplex & Triplex.

2014-2016

Waiter at De Ark, Nieuwpoort & Vossenberg, Hooglede.

2009-2013

Selected university student to operate rent-free rooms at the old Bacteriology institute. www.kuleuven.be/cultuur/bacatelier A woodworkshop, lasercutting- and 3D-printinghub for students. www.fablab-leuven.be A responsible position during my second year at this student Bachelor Architecture organization.

Weekends and summers during my high school years.

Participant of Studio Heidelberg.

2019

Participant of KantveldeWeek at Mechelen.

2018

Athens Exchange program: Za’Atari refugee camp at TUDelft.

2017

Urban analysis regarding the future expansion of the university site, lead by Kerstin Höger.

Urban design workshop including dmvA, G3A, Omgeving, developers, Team Vlaams Bouwmeester & more.

Urban & sustainability strategies for the Jordan refugee camp.

02

2020-present

Coordinator at Existenz.

Elected among two other students to coordinate ExistenzWeek 2017. www.existenz.be

WORKSHOPS

Mar. 2018

SELECTED PROJECTS - STUDENT

01.

- Vi Krever Ett Hjem! Thesis at NTNU & KULeuven. 2020

02.

- Not a Masterplan 1st Master at NTNU. 2019

03.

- Productiehuis 3th Bachelor at KULeuven. 2017

Location

Tønsberg, Norway.

Location

Heidelberg, Germany.

Location

Mechelen, Belgium.

Size

Archetype 1,500m²

Client

University of Heidelberg.

Size

1,000 m²

Typology My role

Promotors

Public Housing.

Typology

Student/ researcher.

Yuri Gerrits, Barbara Oelbrandt,

Erik Frydenlund Hofsbro.

at NTNU, lead by Eli Støa.

Acknowledgments Presently used for a designstudio

Size

My role

Collaborator

Urban Design and Development.

100,000 m² Student.

- EXTRA CURRICULAR

My role

Collaborator

Erik Trælnes.

Acknowledgments Best Erasmus design (shared 1st prize).

Typology

Exhibition fac. of Architecture NTNU.

Circular Economy / Renovation.

Student.

Elien Vissers-Simmilon

Acknowledgments Exposition Open Atelier

Exhibition Castle of Arenberg

- INTERNSHIPS

04.

05.

06.

- Existenz Student Organisation. 2016-2017

- Suresnes Internship at dmvA. 2018

- Hal 5 Internship at MissMiyagi. 2016

Location

Leuven, Belgium.

Location

Paris, France.

Location

Kessel-lo, Belgium.

Status

Build.

Status

Competition (Final 5).

Client

Group Hal 5.

Typology Budget

My role

Collaborators

Event / Lectures / Polyvalent. € 25,000

Coordinator.

66 students.

Acknowledgments Various publications & interviews.

Typology Size

Budget

My role

Collaborators

Residential / Renovation.

Typology

50,000 m²

Status

Teamleader.

Budget

€ 70,000,000 Nina Delva, Thomas Van dessel, Eva

Vandenborcht + Tom Verschueren & David Driesen (partners).

Size

My role

Collaborators

Social Workplace / Urban hub.

Build.

20,000 m² € 385,000

Site Manager & Architect.

Volunteers & various organisations.

Acknowledgments Leuven Stadsarchitectuurprijs 2019.

Other acknowlegdments for non-included projects:

Exposition Open Atelier (Selection of best projects chosen by the department of Architecture -ASRO-) for various Bachelor and Master student work (2013-2018). Permanent exhibition Castle of Arenberg (Selection of best projects chosen by the professors) for various Bachelor and Master projects (2014-2018 & 2020). Exposition Culture Centre De Kruisboog for “Canopy” (Best project), a 2nd Bachelor student work (2014).

Stop-Motion picture “Paper Wave” published by Guerrilla office (2015) and displayed at Parklife (2016) for a 2nd Bachelor student work. “Building the Geodome” exhibited at Castle of Arenberg (2016), Spoorweghal (2016 & permanent artpiece during 2017-2018), STUK Artcenter (2017), MOES2018 (2018). Project “Kantvelde” exhibited at Wagenoord & the city hall of Mechelen during my internship at dmvA (2018).

Climate-KIC Greenhouse Accelerator Scholarship by NTNU for M.A.Di Powerpier (2019). Publication by Unité for the manifest “Existenz is dood” written with Ward Van Hemeledonck (2020).

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01. Vi Krever ett Hjem!

- Masterthesis at NTNU & KULeuven.

Period:

One year from March 2019 till January 2020

Tutors:

Promotor: Yuri Gerrits (WIT architecten), Barbara Oelbrandt (BLAF), Erik Frydenlund Hofsbro (NTNU) Teachers: Marius Hauland Næss (Snøhetta) External Readers: Ward Verbakel (PLUS office)

Setup:

I initiated fieldwork while on Erasmus in Trondheim, analyzing the Norwegian housing market. I worked through Excel to create a comprehensive financial model in collaboration with Trondelag Kommune and used Qgis, Autocad, Adobe Suite, Rhino and Enscape for the majority of the architectural and urban drawings.

Description:

The division between market-driven proprietorship and exclusive benefit for the disadvantaged stands exposed.

There is an increasingly large population segment failing to pay the entry ticket for homeownership. Disparities in society as a consequence of rising land valuations, resulted in Oslo being notorious for containing both the best and worst living conditions in Norway. The municipality has subsequently expressed its desire to be once again the driving force for the development of a social and inclusive municipal housing policy.

The first chapter of the graduation project offers a program that, over time, intends to replace the existing “Tilskudd” procedure. It hypothesizes that ownership should be the intention of short-term prospects while allowing households to acquire equity on longer operating schemes. The second chapter analyses current densification policies for the suburbs and proposes an urban strategy aimed at enriching the existing conservative suburban landscape with new typologies. The third and final chapter, summarized in this portfolio, is the architectural attitude of the constructed proposals and stands separately as a spatial response to the existing socio-economic conditions.

This project can be read in full on issuu.com/thibautvanderbeken

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Husvikveien 190D

He r melinveien 19

Fage rsandveien 28

/The Pie r

Acknowledging that the inheritance of the current landscape should be upheld, the design experiments sedentary within the structure of this particular suburb.

05

Husv i k v e i e n 1 90D The construction next to the informal pathway.

06

When inserting sizeable new typologies to an often monochrome building environment, it is imperative to find an archetype who lends elements of the surrounding structures to service its own welfare.

Conceptdrawing of the south elevation.

Conceptimage of the south elevation.

07

Cross-section displaying a

suggested first floor plan.

Herme l i n ve i e n 1 9

The ground level marked in red signifies the feasibility

of a servicable function.

-

Scale 1:500 0

08

10

20

The interior as the byproduct of a semicontrolled construction process.

Dwelling on top of serviceable rooms.

09

Fag ers a ndve i e n 28

Elevations and axonometries of the pier.

10

The pier as a new public infrastructure: rejecting the need for financial motive.

A sauna as communal entity.

11

02. Not a masterplan - 1st Masterproject at NTNU.

Period:

Three months from September till December 2018, while on Erasmus.

Collaboration:

Erik Trælnes

Tutors:

Professor: Kerstin Höger (KHA) Marius Hauland Næss (Snøhetta) Readers: Paula Lloveras, Pernille Feragen Erik Frydenlund Hofsbro, Jørgen Hallås Skatland, External Readers: Carl Zillich (University of Heidelberg)

Setup:

Erik & myself worked very closely developing the overall concept. I was in charge of all the drawings and direct output concerning plans and visualisations. I mainly used Autocad, Adobe, GEPro & (basic) Rhino.

Description:

The former Olympic area located in Handschufsheim, Heidelberg, served the Paralympics of 1976 and has since endured severe segregation. Today, it mainly contains several fenced-off, de-centralized hubs and fails to deliver a sense of communal feeling, even though its mono-functional dedication to sports. Located next to the growing university hospital, we did not believe the site was going to be a realistic element within the scope of the programmed expenditure. This is part of the reason we did not believe in delivering what was requested: a masterplan.

“Not a Masterplan” is subsequently the result of the stubbornness of the tutors to aim for a finished urban design combined with our desire to work on an architectural scale. Though, in the end, we found ourselves to be more planners then one would when making a masterplan.

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Urban Tissue

An alternative way of looking into undeveloped plots: the re-evaluation of fenced-off communities.

Agriculture

Urban Tissue

Urb an

Tis

sue

Cam

pus

Barriers

Trees

Lost Grounds

Proposed Tramline

High Value Grounds

Informal Pathway

Without consent Left untouched Indirect removal

Ne ck

ar-

Landscape Plan

1:7500

0

100

200

300

400

sh

ore

500 m

Re-evaluation Construction sites Structure

Left untouched for the developer High potential

Direction Memory

Formal routing Connecting urban tissues

Informal routing Connection to areas

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A Tr e asur e

A R e sult

A Me ans

A Goal

To C ult i vat e

Adapting New Mindset

With the gathered knowledge of a shrinking city as a result of post-urban developments, it is imperative to adopt a meaningful program capable of change and recession instead of falling into redundancy.

Breeding Ground

+ Consentless + Common + Entanglement

Leisure

+ Program + De-segregation + Culture

Admittion Lost grounds Relation with Campus Pathways to hubs

*Axis

“Structure” *Intervention

“Activity House”

Sport

Commuters home Student Society Knowledge Center

Mobility + Urban tissue + Campus + Informal + Formal

*Campus

*Intervention

Informal Routing Urban Tissue “Waterfront”

Formal R

“Tramline”

Community + Stratification + Contemporary + Eventscape

“Parkhouse” *Heidelberg

*Crowdfunding?

Assembly: Smart Management

*Intervention

Beertent Phase 1

Community of Entrepeneurship De-centralised hubs

“Beertent”

“Beertent” Beertent Phase Connected hubs

Consent + Actors + Identity + Fellowship

2020

2025

2030

ct tru

An informal bridge across “Waterfront” the Neckar connecting the urban tissue. Generating.

“Tramline”

The suggested tram

by Studio Heidelbe Formal routing stit two districts togeth

en e re p nt *E

ivi ty *A ct

A temporary structure, “Beertent” built in different phases.

Phase 1 An eventscape that adapts. Invitation.

Approval by owners

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*T ra

*B ee rte nt

m lin

e

Cooperation

*A dm iss io n

H

ur

sh

ou s

e

ip

*I

nc

ub at

or

*S

Urbanity

ur e

*K

no wl

ed ge C

en t

re

Now

Ne “Beertent” eve Ad Phase 2 pos

Post-urbanity progression. A “Consent” address a larg Axis-connect

A Masterplan?

Indoor facilities??

*Cultivated

Workspaces??

*Hospital

Rugby Center??

“Market”

Incubator: a cooperative enforcing -student- startups

Network of interests

Part of the Urban Tissue

“Campusline”

Beertent Phase 2

Beertent Phase 1 Beertent Phase 3: A Permanent Structure?

Platform for creative events.

e1 *Actors

Opera House??

*Agriculture

“Rehab”

Routing Urban tissue

Housing??

New developments: Building on Released Potential

“Beertent” Common Ground

“Olympic Café”

Consent

2040

2045

2050

*P ar kh

ou se

2035

mline erg. tching her.

m

pi c

C

*P

af

é

lat

fo

rm

“Campusline”

As proposed by Studio Heidelberg: A campus line strengthens the connection routes inside the campus. Though our axis anticipates more informal routing, the expansion of the campus will require new means of mobility.

*O

ly

ext phase of this entscape. dapting to the st-urban settings.

Another wave. Perhaps this time: a permanent structure solidifying temporary uses.

A platform for creative events.

y intrudes plans of Actors need to “Olympic café” ger audience. tion is a must.

The actors lease their grounds to a found organization, dissolving their individual interests towards a common goal. Perhaps even opening a central café?

*D ev elo pm en

*C

am

pu sli

ne

ts

“Beertent” Phase 3

Finally, the site is a common ground.

A master plan can be developed “A Masterplan” addressing efficiency and in celebration of this newly found enterprise.

15

Working on a plot without a predictable future, we conceived that attachment was more crucial then development.

16

Project 1: “Waterfront”. A connection between two dislocated city quarters.

Project 3: the Beertent, a polyvalent structure as a gesture to the famous “Bierzelt” which iconised the Paralympics of 1976.

17

03. Productiehuis - 3th Bachelor project at KULeuven.

Period:

Three months from February till April 2017.

Collaboration:

Elien Vissers-Similon

Setup:

We were forced to use SketchUp for the obliged 3D Model. However, we also used Archicad to draw our floorplans. This was my first project using Adobe.

Description:

The brief asked to redevelop an old laundry factory to stimulate the circular economy in the city of Mechelen.

Preliminary research showed the building to be structurally defunct, yet it retains great architectural value. The primary analysis was to handle the odd L-shaped building as a combination of two parts with their own entrances and axis, while also narrating different historical backgrounds and architectural experiences. This resulted in a dual approach for both program and design. While conserving the main part with its roof chapels, we reshaped the other with new correlated materiality forming a new explicit entrance for the otherwise rather concealed building.

18

Though located near the axis between the train station and the central market, the building is concealed between nearby structures.

The new construction serves an overall supporting role: storage, utilities, circulation as well as a place for the artisans and clients to encounter.

19

04. Existenz - Studentorganisation.

Period:

Academia 2016-2017

Collaboration:

Judith David

Setup:

Existenz is a student organisation formed by the 1st Master students of civil-engineering & Architecture. Here we -finally- have the opportunity to express our creativity practically.

Description:

Joined by Judith, we were elected by our fellow students to coordinate ExistenzWeek 2018. We worked closely with the 66 eager members transforming an old bus repair station into a new urban hub.

Café Illuminé: Café Mouvé: BAUHAUS: ExistenzWeek:

The first café of the year. It resembles the opening of our faculty.

Discovering an abandoned warehouse with rollerblades.

Our famous parties, always enriched through spatial interventions.

The synopsis of the year. 3 weeks of intensive collaborate working.

Also in this booklet: MOES2018, the original aim for the GeoDome. This project was developed with Judith David among others and partly came as a result of my stay at BACAtelier and FABLAB KULeuven.

ExistenzWeek: transforming an old bus into a bar.

20

WIRED installation.

The Carwash; diverse Art installations.

Installatie SPUIT.

Existenz Busstop 2017.

CafĂŠ MouvĂŠ at an abandoned industrial warehouse.

21

The DO m e

MOES 2018, a yearly festival in Mechelen, Belgium.

MOES 2018.

22

A moveable polyvalent entity to be constructed numerous times with 3 people under an hour.

Café Illuminé at the Arenbergparc.

Café Mouvé at an abandoned industrial warehouse.

23

05. Suresnes - Internship at dmvA.

Period:

One week during may of 2018

Collaboration:

Nina Delva, Thomas Van dessel, Eva Vandenborcht, Tom Verschueren & David Driesen (partners)

Setup:

I was appointed team leader and oversaw the overall design strategy. I utilised Archicad for the plans and cuts, and Adobe PSD/ILL to finish the basic outlines in a presentable way. The project was presented in French.

Description:

The site is a part of the commune Suresnes located in the banlieue of Paris. The existing high-rise building has a view on the whole of the metropoles with La DĂŠfense as an imminent urban view. Beautifully located at the riverside of La Seine, the green area of Bois de Boulogne defines the quality that the panorama offers. The existing building consists of 3 layers of parking lots, with 2 merged centralized towers of 11 and 13 floors, thus reaching a height of almost 40 meters. The building dates back to the seventies, built to supply the growing demand for office spaces. Today, the building is sought to provide more than 400 dwellings.

[Renovation]

[The Grid]

[Volumes]

[Transfer]

[Quality]

[Framework]

24

In blue the main structure that is preserved, in black the add-ons.

25

By adding tweaked passerelles, an energetic atmosphere is created which increases living conditions.

26

Concept drawing of the improved passerelles.

View from the Seine.

27

06. Hal 5 - Coordinator at Miss Miyagi.

Period:

Four months through May till September of 2017.

Collaboration:

Michiel Balen (Miss Miyagi), Arnout Vandenbossche (BUUR), Hanne Vanhaverbeke (WIT).

Setup:

Though I was originally only aiding for 3 weeks as a part of a university course, I somehow ended up as the coordinator on-site and sticked around from start till finish. I directed volunteers as well as diverse firms, including the fire department, installing gas and water connections etc. I oversaw all on-site finances and helped out if needed. I designed most spaces and supervised constructing them. Best summer so far!

Description:

Hal 5 is a self-financed temporary (5 years) re-use undertaking of a protected industrial railway hall of 2000 m² located behind Leuven’s present railway station, in Kessel-lo.A new program was adapted related to four themes: exercise, nutrition, community development and sustainable business. It focuses strongly on affordable space and cross-fertilization between very diverse actors. The project includes a food court with 5 food stalls, a bar, a social grocery, event spaces, a parkour hall, offices of multiple social organizations, a coffee roaster and short-chain baker, urban agriculture and a movement landscape for toddlers.

Proposal of the repurposing of the old train repair-station. Š Developed in collaboration with BUUR.

28

Day 0: The railway station in its abandoned state.

Day 40: Installation of the wooden frames for the containers.

29

Day 64: Cinema Canvas during August 2016, in the smaller polyvalent hal.

Day 81: Festive opening of Hal5.

30

- 6th of August 2020 Fonts:

Adobe Caslon Pro

Bebas Neue KLARTEXT MONO

All images are made or drawn by the author, unless mentioned otherwise.

REFERENCES

ir. Ar. Michiel Van Balen Founder “Miss Miyagi” Civil Engineer Architect Mail Phone Website

-Project Hal 5-

michiel@missmiyagi.eu +32 487 84 61 81 www.missmiyagi.eu

sAr. David Driesen & sAr. Tom Verschueren -Internship 2018Founders “dmvA” Architects and Professor at the University of Leuven.

Mail david@dmva-architecten.eu tomverschueren@dmva-architecten.eu Phone +32 479 49 08 67 (David Driesen) +32 495 54 60 05 (Tom Verschueren) Website www.dmva-architecten.be Ar. Kerstin Höger Founder “Kerstin Höger Architekten” Architect and Professor at NTNU Mail Phone

Website

-Professor of Studio Heidelberg NTNU-

Kerstin.hoeger@ntnu.no +47 73 950 3033 (Norway) +41 78 639 5216 (Office in Switzerland) www.kerstinhoeger.com

ir. Ar. Yuri Gerrits & ir. Ar. Barbara Oelbrandt -Promotors Masterthesis KULeuvenFounders “WIT” and “BLAF” Architects and Professors at the University of Leuven.

Mail yuri.gerrits@kuleuven.be barbara.oelbrandt@kuleuven.be Phone +32 16 41 34 14 (Office WIT)

+32 16 32 33 10 (Office BLAF) Website www.wit.eu www.blaf.be