The Masui area, located in the North of Brussels, is bustling with local businesses. On the edge of this neighbourhood, there is a triangular residual space, formed by the busy roads and train tracks. PODIUM seeks to revitalize this area by embracing its multicultural atmosphere. A place for locals and tourists to meet and explore Masui through music. 

This connectivity comes about through embracing the noisy site and turning it into a place where local artists get a platform and a voice. The concept itself functions as a unifying element, both in programme, architecture and local economy. Three different volumes consisting of the Via Via Hostel, a rehearsal space and an auditorium with a restaurant are connected by a multi-purpose and versatile canopy. This canopy adds outdoor sheltered space to the city at the level of the sidewalk and connects all kinds of easily accessible public and semi-public functions. On the first floor, the canopy functions as a second urban level where more activity is organised in the form of an auditorium. 

Our Via Via Hub forms an extension to the existing typology of the Brussels townhouse. Masonry is implemented into the project and the ground floor forms a green addendum to the plinths.  In the site’s backyard, the artists get their own studio and rehearsal space in exchange for their contribution to the Via Via Hostel. The auditorium draws your attention; an anchor point, established by the two main roads.By “stretching” the public space on different levels, Podium seeks to add social spaces to this city quarter;  indoor and outdoor spaces where people can meet each other and expand their horizons.  

The fine grain of the urban 'ensemble', the detailling, well-thought materiality and spatial richness make this project a truly appealing urban intervention. The music centre and hostel seamlesly blend into a welcoming place for people of all walks of life. 

The ambition to create an environment that is focused on the benefit of the community, and to revitalise both the physical and social context, is evident in the architecture.

Place Gaucheret, is nestled in Schaerbeek, Brussels, which has a rich history and diverse community. Yet, it lacks the vibrant atmosphere it deserves. It sits as a divider between economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, and the Manhattan Plan introducing towering office buildings to the area. This creates a big division. On the square, there’s also a building that stands in the middle of the transition, Soleil du Nord. A building for social work that currently also lacks a lot of charm and character.

Our goal is to revalue Place Gaucheret. By organizing workshops that showcase the unique traditions and techniques of the various cultures in the area, we want to turn the Place Gaucheret into a lively gathering spot. A spot for locals, as well as visitors. These workshops will provide an opportunity for people to learn from each other and appreciate different cultural practices. A place where local people can share their authentic roots, business people can take a break from their office spaces and the visitors of the Via Via hub and hostel from all over the world can join and share their experiences with the rest. Refurbishing Soleil du Nord is crucial. By expanding around and on top of it, we symbolize the transition between neighborhoods and towers. A new U-shaped addition creates a cozy square with the workshop spaces which stretch into the outdoors via  expanded  roof canopies. The openness of the workshop spaces invites passersby to peek in. Atop of this, we’ve added a restaurant accessible to all and a tower, housing the Via Via Hostel. An additional canopy with seating and a kiosk fosters community gatherings, representing our vision of transformation. This project should turn the area into an inviting space where everyone feels welcome and connected. 

The transformation of the existing, cold and 'distant' building of Soleil du Nord, with one simple, but delicately detailed gesture - the canopy, makes this project stand out. Even after closing time, this place is a true 'urban living room' for all.

With over a quarter of Schaerbeek’s population being under 18, ‘T STRAATHUIS by Via Via emerges as a vibrant youth hub, bridging the gap between the high-rise corporate architecture and residential tissue. Here, local youth, residents, and adventurous travelers converge, fostering exchanges of ideas, experiences, and perspectives while exploring the city’s diverse tapestry of stories. No longer overshadowed by skyscrapers, it stands as a soft landmark in canal northeast. In collaboration with local organizations like Capital, we tap into the energy and creativity of Schaerbeek’s youth to revitalize the neighborhood, employing street art and engaging design to foster a sense of community.

 Today, Place Gaucheret resembles a dance floor without dancers. Our design reimagines it as a dynamic space, mirroring the city’s rhythm through a beloved local sport: skateboarding. Recognizing skateboarding as quintessentially Brussels, our skateable design adds value to the neighborhood while preserving its existing character. A vibrant yellow steel structure, inspired by the nearby Yellow Artwork in the park, embraces the older Soleil de Nord volume, transforming it into an expressive architectural feature. Integrated skateable elements breathe life into the structure, creating a cohesive skate-friendly whole. Our hybrid design accommodates four functions, performing as an open house that informally blends the existing Noorderzon with the Babbelcafé, the youth center, and the hostel-tower.

 Instead of adding one, let our architecture be the skatepark where urban youth find their place and their voice. Welcome to our House of the Streets.

The enthusiasm and energy of this team, the boldness and lack of compromise resulted in this inspiring and convincing research by design project. 

The generosity with which the building invites in the community is appreciated, as is the enthusiasm for making an engaging form that embodies the intent of the project.

Place Gaucheret is quite an interesting location because there are plenty of people that frequent this area for a variety of reasons. Not to mention all the different cultural backgrounds that are also present. The Gaucheret Hub makes use of the open square area behind the Soleil Du Nord

building. This area is quite good for an intervention because it is literally almost a blank canvas open for opportunities from various directions. There were multiple things that stood out to myself looking at the site but the first thing that Le Pole Gaucheret addresses is the lack of greenery on this side of Soleil Du Nord in the landscaping. It leads people directly to places they want to go to while also providing slower winding routes if they want to go on a leisurely stroll outside for some

fresh air.

Ultimately the design aims to encourage unity among people and to do this we need to encourage interactions with one another and interactions will not happen in private spaces unless you already know these people to some degree. So this automatically means big open and more importantly communal spaces for everyone to frequent and do different activities together. It tackles this challenge by having a wide open space wherever you are to constantly be surrounded by people, near other people or at least allow you to see other people. The main part of this entire design is connecting people, it's all good and well we bring them together but how do we let them connect and have common interests especially when everyone can be from largely different backgrounds and cultures, the answer is quite simple actually, food.

Food is something that everyone can connect to whether you speak the same language or not because it is an experience that you can share at the same time by having a meal with that person. For this reason there is a restaurant/cafe; a market and exhibition for locals to show off their art

whether that be food, talents or even sculptures and things of that nature, it is all about creating an experience. The architecture of the building responds to the surroundings by incorporating the hard

materials into the building and landscape but also giving it a lighter feel and look.

We appreciated the attention to detail as far as the existing content is concerned, with great care taken to engage with the existing building and its surroundings in a positive manner. Likewise, the building itself is crafted to accommodate community activities to support the local neighbourhood.

"The huis (home) of the community"

Harrington Square is located in the CBD of Cape Town and currently acts as an open parking area with a fenced-off playground on the Eastern side. Fynhuis is an initiative to drive the square to its full potential for the historically rich District Six community.District Six is known for the forced removals of its residents and demolition of many of their homes during the apartheid era. This uprooting of residents left many feeling detached from their community. Therefore Fynhuis is derived by the theme of regrowth and is inspired by the indigenous Fynbos biome of the area. Fynhuis aims to regrow the community and be a huis (home) for all. By employing past community members, reintegrating them into the space, and teaching visitors and new community members of the history of the area and developing new relations with each other. This growth is intended to help regain the historical identity of the area and its people and re-establish their roots.

Fynhuis features a backpacker's lodge, restaurant and cafe, marketplace, library and many outdoor amenities integrated into a large garden encompassing the whole square. Many of which generate an income for the precinct. The outdoor amenities include an amphitheatre, a historical garden, and a community vegetable garden. The historical garden is a re-imagination of an old street in District Six and the layout thereof with information of the areas history and it's people on display. The amphitheatre is used to support local musicians or host classes and talks that can be uplifting to the community. The market space will be available for local vendors and florists who can make use of the gardens produce encouraging entrepreneurship and financial independence. The produce is also used by the restaurant and cafe kitchens.

The library/community learning centre offers a safe space for community members to do homework, educate themselves or apply for jobs through the amenities offered. These functions are spread out over various buildings on the site and feature roofs inspired by the famous Protea Fynbos flower. The vegetation and use of specific materials such as timber creates a more warm, welcoming environment allowing all community members to feel welcome. The Fynhuis garden is a meeting place and sanctuary for all who visit.

Juryfindings: The architectural language of this project creates a welcoming home for the community, while being sensitive to the integration of the natural landscape and vegetation back into the urban context.

The project focuses on adding a central hub to Harrington Square in Cape Town, a historically significant sight. The primary goals are to restore its historical importance in a contemporary manner and provide a gathering point for people across all walks of life. This project utilises the "streets within streets" concept, which entails creating a network of primary “streets” serving as the main arteries for pedestrian traffic throughout the site, as well as a vehicle to connect the building with the landscape, as the landscape runs through the building, interspersed with secondary pedestrian pathways. Harrington Square will serve as the central gathering node.

The building design will incorporate commercial spaces on the ground and 1st floor, with residential units above. This layout ensures a continuous flow of activity and enhances safety. Architectural features will include, providing natural shaded walkways and transitional spaces such as contemporary stoops, verandas, and small gardens on terraces throughout all levels of the building.

Pedestrian comfort will be prioritised with wide, accessible pathways, from all four corners of the site. The project will maximise density through the use of compact living units in various sizes, optimising land use efficiency. Additionally, small green spaces or “pocket parks” will be integrated into the network of secondary streets, offering recreational areas for residents. Space is provided for social hubs to be established to serve as centralised locations for a variety of activities. Workshops can be held for social, cultural and corporative events that enhance skills, team building and relaxation experience.

The collaborative and workshop weeks were vital in refining and enhancing the project. These sessions provided valuable insights and fostered a deeper understanding of the project's complexities. The experiences have significantly influenced the development of future architecture, emphasising the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the value of engaging with a broad range of perspectives to create well-rounded, contextually sensitive designs.

The ultimate vision for Harrington Square is to create a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable urban environment that respects the historical and overall significance of District Six. This includes preserving and restoring historical elements, promoting community-centric design, implementing eco-friendly building practices and green spaces, and ensuring long-term success through diverse revenue streams and efficient land use.

We appreciated the urban ambition and scale of the project, which was resolved in a sensitive manner and with the necessary sophistication to integrate into the existing urban environment in a way that retains a significant outdoor square for the community.

Our project is inspired by an iconic place in District Six: the Seven Steps. This place evokes memories of a warm community where residents knew each other by name, enjoying fun and self-expression. This rich cultural heritage is the backbone of our vision for Harrington Square. The Seven Steps symbolize friendship and cultural expression, which we aim to recreate. We envision a public space reflecting the inclusive, dynamic atmosphere of its historical counterpart, where people can gather, celebrate, and enjoy diverse cultural experiences.

Our design embraces the informality of openness, inviting all to gather and exercise a shared expression. We plan to develop seven distinct platforms within Harrington Square, each offering a unique atmosphere and purpose, catering to various activities. Where you can meet and connect in different atmospheres being a formal introduction to an informal workshop where the local theater group teaches you how to create ornaments.

Through thoughtful architecture, we crafted a walkable building where every room is connected without stepping outside. We are committed to honoring District Six’s history by integrating memories of the Seven Steps and using materials and design techniques reflecting the area’s architectural heritage. 

It blends seamlessly into its surroundings with a brick plinth made from chocolate brown bricks, often used locally. The architecture itself becomes an interactive stage, with wooden paneling inviting users to shape the space. Additionally, we will incorporate Via Via lodges where theater groups or passersby can spend the night, further enriching the communal and cultural experience. Our design breathes new life into Harrington Square, creating a place for community celebration and cultural experiences.

The scale of the project, the architectural composition and its materiality give a new, homely élan to Harrington Square. With its programme (performance to give voice and agency) and reference to the Seven Steps, this project blends the history of District Six with its future stories.

Our project aims to create a vibrant hub where the worlds of work and play converge. By bridging the gap between street football and welding, we aim to keep youth off the streets, inspire creativity, foster teamwork, and build stronger communities.

With a simple roof, Die Plein boosts Harrington Square with energy and activity, transforming the present parking lot into a meeting place and hotspot for youngsters and all young at heart.

The idea was born from the shared passion and experiences - welding and football- of two of its founders. Combining a state of the art workshop space and a street soccer area, café, restaurant and other facilities, with lodging creates new bonds, between people of different ages and backgrounds, between locals and tourists, between sports(wo)men and creatives, guests and professionals, bringing back the liveliness and social interaction of the former District Six.

The design embodies freedom with butterfly roofs, expanding across Harrington Square. Features include a soccer area, picnic spot, grandstand, and café at Charly’s Bakery. On the other side, a welding workshop integrates indoor and outdoor spaces, showcasing young craftsmen’s skills. The grandstand hosts diverse events. Accommodations connect various activities, providing scenic views and inviting spaces. The building’s materials, including wood and steel, foster community engagement and a welcoming atmosphere. 

Die Plein invites people of all walks of life, promoting social cohesion through sports and crafts. Here, at Harrington Square it is the  first hub in its kind, but many more can follow, throughout the city and beyond

The personal engagement in the developing of the programme and narrative, combined with the consistent commitment to refine the urban design and architecture, envisioned in the short movie, booklet and models, easily convinced the jury of the qualities of this project.

Trafalgar Park has a long and rich history, meaning our development of the site was of utmost importance not just for the community, but also to inform newcomers and foreigners of the importance of the site. Our design not just focuses on paying tribute to the site’s heritage, but also take context and people relations and dynamics into account. The design has eight different elements to it, each having its stand-alone purpose, while still serving the bigger design intent, connection.

We are proposing a space that has five-a-side fields, a pavilion that overlooks the sport fields, line shops that boost the local economy, a café that has views that overlook the sport fields and have access to the park for the younger generations, while still offering a restaurant and backpackers lodge. Along with these physical structures, we have included a stairway/seating space that adds extra seating for spectators while being functional as a stairway and has a ramp integrated as to allow for universal access to all parts of the park.

The five-a-side fields are the focus of our entire design. It serves as the main point of connection between all our structures and is the main attraction for the community to engage with. As we are living in a diverse country, we decided to use a sport precinct that will bring the most people together and without a doubt that would be soccer. Soccer is not just a local sport, but a sport loved worldwide by countless supporters and therefore will also allow for connections to form between locals and foreigners. Our design proposal for the pavilion was very intentional. It is not just a practical structure for seating, but our entry arch captures the heart of Cape Town, Table Mountain, in a frame and replicates its simple structure. It creates a moment of awe as this is the surprise gift awaiting anyone that steps into the space. The pavilion also houses the locker rooms, bathrooms and some shops.

The line shops are a modern take on the all too famous pop up shops found all over Cape Town. These line shops are for community members to sell their products or services to the community as a possible extra income that is once again invested back into the community. Every space that hosts a sports field, must have a place that sells coffee for those early mornings and late night games. The café is space where spectators can get a small meal or something to drink and is an opportunity for locals to get employed. This not only creates jobs but helps the community to sustain itself. One cannot develop Trafalgar Park without having a park, hence we decided to locate out park in the furthest corner that has the most obstructed view of the five-a-side fields. This creates a sense of privacy as one can locate the park through a separate set of stairs that does not directly connect to any other design elements. This is also a convenient place as this allows parents to make use of the Café seating while keeping a watchful eye over their children, giving parents peace of mind.

We have decided as part of our design proposal to combine the backpackers lodge with the restaurant, yet, giving them each their own space. The restaurant has better access from the main roads and has entry direct from the street whereas the café is more embedded into the sport precinct. This not only give users a choice of where they want to eat, but also creates more jobs for locals. The backpackers does not only offer a comfortable, stylish space to sleep, but also caters for the perfect semi-private get together space to watch the soccer matches. With a direct view to the five-a-side fields and a braai area or two and comfortable seating, the guests don’t have to worry to secure their limited pavilion seating. As a add on and as one final connection space to the five-a-side Fields, we have incorporated a staircase/ramp that also functions as added spectator seating. This design element does not just ensure universal access to the whole site but is also multi-function without overcrowding the site.

The project complements and strengthens the park-like atmosphere that exists on the site, with its view down to Trafalgar Park and up towards the mountain. We appreciated the sensitive siting of the extensive facilities so as to maintain this character.

Cape Town still bears the scars of apartheid, evident in the loss of identity and inadequate community services. Urban reforms in the late 20th century prioritized cars, leading to a lack of human-scale spaces and diminished neighborhood cohesion. Additionally, housing affordability is a significant issue, with 40% of households living below the poverty line.

We sincerely believe that urban planning can address these issues. The Trafalgar Park project aims to provide affordable housing based on the values of the ViaVia Café: connection, enjoyment, exploration, and contribution, fostering solidarity, mutual aid, and open-mindedness. 

Each home will have a guest room available for visitors in exchange for financial aid, and a shared kitchen to promote interaction between residents and Café backpackers.

The design forms a village-like layout with streets, tree-lined paths, and a square for events, enhancing privacy with elevated street fronts and creating personal paths between houses. This project seeks to prevent city center depopulation through responsible and comprehensive tourism. The aim is to inspire similar community-focused initiatives throughout the neighborhood and town, demonstrating that effective responses can be built at a local scale.

With this project, Melaine and Thomas, convinced the jury that a housing project can be exactly what this place needs to create a welcoming gateway to District Six and Woodstock. The combination of private units with guest rooms for visitors makes it an interesting, realistic proposal, to discuss further with local policymakers and stakeholders.

One of the key features is the auditorium, a central hub for educational lectures, film screenings, and community gatherings. Designed with good acoustics and flexible seating arrangements, this space provides a platform for learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange. It can also create additional income as a space for local events like First Thursdays and not only.

In the central part of the project we can find workshop area, strategically integrated into the slope of the site. This versatile space serves as an exhibition area for the animation school, showcasing student works and hosting artistic events. Inside, movable panels adorn the main wall, allowing the space to expand seamlessly into the surrounding park, inviting guests to engage with art amidst nature’s beauty.

The placement of these additional programs takes advantage of the site’s natural topography, offering guests breathtaking views of Table Mountain while creating a blend of indoor and outdoor spaces. By integrating artistic and educational elements into the hostel experience, our project aims to provide guests an enriching stay, where they can connect with nature, engage with local culture, and unleash their creativity.

This project convinces the jury with its natural elegance: the way it nestles into the landscape, the staircase that follows the natural slope and transforms from seating and reading area during the day into a cinema in the evening, the tangible quality and simplicity of its architecture, seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces. The graphic presentation perfectly captures the project's program and atmosphere.