Day of the Architecture 1993

(autotranslated)
BELGIUM GETS HIS FIRST DAY OF ARCHITECTURE

On 10 October, in our country the first Day of Architecture organized a first and unique initiative of its kind. This Day also immediately forms the highlight of the festivities, on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the Order of Architects, should highlight the new course that will sail the Order in the coming years. The initiative, which is sponsored by the Association of Architects, is clearly in line with the previous activities, which always drew attention to the architectural creation and its importance to our future environment.

First objective is to inform the general public and to raise awareness of architecture and its cultural, social, civic and economic role. Architecture Day will bring thought provoking about the value of a quality built environment. Architecture Day is like a logical extension of the Heritage. But unlike the Heritage Days, which initially focused on the protection of ancient cultural heritage, Architecture Day will offer the general public the chance to get acquainted in a privileged way with 200 contemporary buildings; with the architectural heritage of tomorrow.

Neighbouring countries like the Netherlands, Britain, Ireland, Germany, Portugal and Denmark, have already each have their Day of Architecture. France even has its Architecture Week, which every year produces a true migration. The Netherlands had in 1992 “Relay Architecture”, which drew two months masses of visitors, with twenty programs spread across as many cities. Belgium could not stay behind …

Five cities, five themes

For the first edition tracks were marked out in five cities: Bruges, Ghent, Brussels, Mons and hatch, leading to the most diverse examples of contemporary architecture. In each city forty buildings were selected, fifteen to twenty exceptional and free also from the inside to visit. On tours architects talk about the new building they barely have a few months back realized, or about how they ancient monuments have given a new purpose. In each of the cities of experts were put to work, who in outlining the routes leaving each lead by one particular theme, inspired by the lines of the local architectural policy. And, where necessary, the controversy is not at all put aside.

“Will Brussels brittle remains?” expresses the conflict between small scale and quality in the capital. Brugge shall consider increasing its “Scare new” is or is not justified. Gent will be no touristy candy and displays a “Past to Future”. Mountain “Seeking its own history”, and Liège offers “New Perspectives”. The association “Architecture Day” has entrusted the selection of buildings for the Day of local architecture associations: vzw Archipelago Bruges, non-profit Architecture as Neighbor to Ghent, Fondation pour l’Architecture asbl Brussels, Brunelleschi asbl in partnership with Fondation pour l ‘Architecture ASLB for Bergen, and Maison de l’urbanite ASBL for Liege. Cultural organizations and architecture schools take part in the event, with open days, exhibitions and other activities.

Architecture Day, practically viewed

Participants in the Architecture Day, in every town first stop by the local information center. Just because they receive a leaflet with a map of the city, where the routes carefully identified and described in the selected buildings. In most buildings are open to the public are also scheduled guided tours, usually the architect himself, sometimes the client, acts as a guide. This privileged tours will be organized at certain times, such as those notified are in the visit plans.

Around the course are also organized additional activities in most cities. Thus, held a guided architectural tour of Bruges, which takes in all the selected buildings. In the port of Ghent for an exhibition is put on line by the St. Luke Institute, with planning proposals for this part of town. Brussels brings a unique piece of history to life through a special Dupuis program and an evening event at the renowned Grand Hornu, and Liège are all architecture visitors are treated to the latest exhibition at la Cité Ardente.

Bruges “Afraid of the new”

Worldwide Bruges is still hailed as one of the best preserved medieval towns. Yet that Bruges largely fiction, because few buildings date from that period effectively. Most homes appear no more than fossilized, nostalgic visions of being the middle ages, many centuries later by descendants to live a dream. New patterns of building and living hardly got a chance. Whether the locals meanwhile have to think differently? Some do. On October 10 run two track along the most striking structures that were put in the last twenty years by architects who have left the Middle Ages behind. For the Architecture Day two circuits have been mapped, one intra, the other outside the club.

Intramural walk the trail including via the Spaarkrediet (Frame), social housing along the Denomination (Cardinael & Laloo), the former youth library (Dugardyn), the office ACW & CM (Group Planning), the county seat Paribas (Lantsoght & Van den Abeele) and social housing “Karthuyzerwijk” (Vanassche).

Extramural can the provincial office of the BAC (Beel & Morel) go and see, dwelling Seawall (Callebaut & Sohier), the Belgacom building (Demaegt, Vernimmen, Augustyniak) …

Starting point: Tourist Office, Burg 11, 8000 Bruges (parking: Sand)

• Vamp-box *
  On the Architecture Day in October was issued a Vamp-box (Very Architectural Minded Person) with the architektuurparcours in Bruges, Ghent, Mons, Liège and Brussels.

nabeschouwing
The first day of the architecture was a surprising success. Without barnum advertising and shortly after monument day, open day, and in konkurrentie with bus-tram-treindag and bosdag, it was a surprise to many places. In Bruges. One thousand five hundred leaflets were collected, representing a three thousand architektuurwandelaars. In the BAC, the Spaarkrediet, Belgacom, the Gotje, the CM etc … it was from 10. morning to evening six hours constant busy. From the tourist office were archipelago-eight large groups of people guided by Bruges. The concept of the day was coined by the group Ine Mariën. For the local implementation of the project put into archipelago. Philip Cardinael ensured the co-ordination. The initiative is a continuation annually.