Approaches to regeneration
read the bookIn collaboration with
Felix Waldner
Stef Lernout
Rose-Ann Melis
Professors
Nicolas Petilion
Jan Degeeter
Special Thank you to
Bart Hollanders
Sven Verbruggen
Sofie De Caigny
Felix Verheyden
Morhpo
Hugo Chan
Paul Boudens
Introduction
The idea of writing this manifesto started with a vision of three students at the University of Antwerp. We received an assignment for the revival of the Florival site, an old battery factory located in Belgium. Instead of working out this single case, we tried to find a general approach that could be applied to numerous sites like Florival. The concept had to go further than just architecture and the built environment.
Our goal was to write a manual for the designer as well as for the user of such a project. A manual that clarifies how to tackle adaptive re-use. The book is divided into three chapters, the natural environment, the built environment, and the human soul. Each chapter has several topics concerning the regeneration toward a better future.
We see re-use in all areas as a dynamic process that extends beyond mere completion, but rather evolves continuously over time, reflecting the ongoing progress of the project.
Rather than aiming for immediate finality, the focus lies on initiating the process with minimal interventions that allow for life to thrive. From this starting point, residents are empowered to gradually appropriate the entire area, shaping and reshaping it to meet their evolving needs. This iterative approach acknowledges the fluidity of human existence; just as individuals develop, adapt, and change throughout their lifetimes, so too should the built environment. Indeed, the temporal aspect is fundamental to life itself. Humans undergo continuous growth, facing new challenges, opportunities, and experiences that necessitate adaptation. In this context, buildings should not be perceived as static entities but as dynamic entities that evolve alongside the communities they serve. They age, adapt, and develop character, reflecting the passage of time and the shifting needs of their inhabitants.
Embracing this perspective challenges the traditional notion of architecture as a static creation, instead highlighting its potential for ongoing transformation and renewal. By recognizing the inherent impermanence of structures and embracing their capacity for change, we can cultivate environments that remain vibrant, relevant, and responsive to the needs of individuals and communities throughout their lifespan.
Manifesto
Humanity has entered a time where it’s already too late to make choices. The question of whether we destroy or rescue what is left can no longer be discussed. Tabula rasa concepts from the previous century need to make place for a Tabula scripta approach. The vast amount of existing structures with potential for adaptive re-use can no longer be ignored. A recognition of the power these structures hold is required to create a shift in mindset and approach. Our earth’s material sources are also getting exhausted. By embracing a philosophy of minimal intervention and strategic repurposing, we can mitigate the reduction of new resources while maximising the utility of existing structures. New architects are searching for ways to approach the complex world of re-use. This while a boxing match between young architects and building promoters plays a major role in the continuation of destruction. It is our responsibility to show the potential of architecture and the way architecture communicates with nature and humans.