My preoccupation with perceiving buildings as objects prompted this design for a cultural institute on the Belgian coast. The theoretical part of the project throws light on what it is that constitutes object architecture. Structures of reflective and iconic value have been around since man began building. Architectural objects extricate themselves from their built context, they point to loftier things. In earlier centuries architectural objects mainly referred to the church or to civic power. In this past century a shift has been occurring towards economic, cultural and social powers. The Architectural Object impacts as a built mirror; rather than being an autonomous object that turns a cold shoulder to its context it plays games with it, engages it in dialogue.

I have sited it on the Belgian coast because of the potency and objectness of this 60 kilometre long compact linear leisure-hugging city of apartments and hotels. Born of a utopian plan, this 50 metre thick wall wedged between the sea and the parallel highway has been unique in Northern Europe since 1893. The design for the Cultural Institute for (and on) the Belgian coast acts as a landmark, an icon for the coast. It is a place where the coastal culture and history is collected and presented. A place too where such former tourist-based seaside activities as culture, open-air recreation and strolling (flâneren) are once again held up to scrutiny. A building that illustrates, both in its programme and its build-up and impact, the Wall of Coast and at the same time engages it in dialogue.

Place of education: TU Delft
Specialization: architectuur/architecture
Tutors: Wim van den Bergh, Arie Graafland & Frans Boot