AN APPROACHABLE STAGE OF EXCHANGE
by Kaat Boon

Master Dissertation 2021/2022 “Constructing Ecosystems” Faculty of Architecture Sint-Lucas Brussels Campus, KU Leuven Prof. Dr. Jan Wurm”

AN APPROACHABLE STAGE OF EXCHANGE
by Kaat Boon

With the construction sector being responsible for over 35% of the EU’s total waste generation, the project articulates the importance to consider extraction, energy consumption and carbon emission along the total life cycle of the building. The project offers a new view on alternative, circular material systems, turning waste into building materials and nutrients for nature.

While the European Parliament is in close proximity to cultural and social institutions such as the Natural History Museum and the Leopold Park, the building doesn’t engage with the public and remains isolated, with politics happening in a mirrored glass box. In this proposal, nature, public, politics and education seek to convene and converge in the building.

Different biotopes are implemented on the facade of the building. By setting back the walls of the floor plans, a twisted green corridor is created all around the building. Habitats differ from each other according to the exposure of wind and sun. Therefore, different types of plants are developed on the facade of the building offering distinctive environment and attracting diverse species. A public path is connecting the different levels opening up to carved-out spaces to converse, reflect and understand needs of different stakeholders of urban nature. The main entrance of the building shifts to the park, allowing the building to act as a passage. The ground floor becomes a direct intersection between nature, public and politics; all present and equal.
The program of the building includes human and non-human organisms, living and non-living materials. The intersection between existing and retrofitted parts is made clear by the articulation of materiality. Wood is used for the ramp and the new vertical surfaces to give a more natural aspect to the hike up along the facade. Flexible and inclusive spaces of connecting citizens with all forms of life are presented along the way: the open terrace on the sixth floor where an extension of the park is made, the double height greenhouse where bigger trees can be planted and studied by the research labs, additionally an indoor bar allows the public to live closely to nature in winter and experience the change of seasons.

The new facade panels reflect the philosophy of the project. All parts of the Scot Pine are used, a coniferous species, resilient to the unfolding climate change, becoming a key species for future bio-based material flows. Going from inside to outside, the inner finish consists of a lime plaster directly applied onto the insulation. It is applied to the wooden frame. Thirdly, the layer of insulation is made from the paper waste stream originating from the pine tree. The outer Façade layer is made from clay panels, reinforced with wood fibers and chips, protected from rain by the overhanging terraces and gardens.