The market launch of the Minerve project has ushered in a new phase in the redevelopment of the abandoned Agfa Gevaert production site, located near Fort V in Edegem, into a sustainable, mixed residential project with a green character.

"During the first phase, that is set to be completed by 2021, sixty apartments and sixteen homes designed by POLO Architects will be constructed. By 2025, the former industrial site should house 350 new homes surrounded by 23,500 square metres of green space. The housing blocks will be surrounded by three park areas, two playgrounds and a green relaxing area. In addition, the site will also include 8 communal and 59 private gardens. On-site mobility will give priority to pedestrians and cyclists." - Michiel Verhaverbeke, architect & director van POLO Architects.

PIONEER PROJECT

The POLO Architects project is the first one to be realised on the site. Sixty apartments and sixteen homes are organised around a private courtyard.

On the south-west side, a cuboid building contains 16 homes; compact starter homes, expandable homes and bigger plots with larger homes. The wide range of housing types results in a dynamic facade with alternating construction heights.

To the north-east of the cuboid, a U-shaped volume was added to create an embracing gesture. An inner courtyard appears. This new space, designed as a park garden, provides cohesion, structure and intimacy.

The embracing volume will harbour 60 apartments. Alternating construction heights and elements with an accentuated height ensure a great diversity of housing types and sizes. Structural indentations and extensions are used to create terraces and rooftop gardens.

RESPECTING INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE

The red brick facades are a reference to the adjacent industrial warehouse, which will be renovated and integrated into the new master plan. The layered composition consisting of various brick bonding patterns in the new volume is a nod to the craftsmanship of the age-old art of brickwork.

This pioneering project by POLO Architects marks the beginning of the transformation of an old industrial site into a new green neighbourhood with residential areas, squares, and parks.

www.minerve.info

3D: Revive / photograph: Klaas De Scheirder