Ruimtelijk
Ontwerp
Slagboom
De Kapel
'De toekomst raakt het verleden in dit heden'
2022
Ouden Doel (Belgium)
This concerns a project where four different creators were asked to come up with an expression in and around the Verdronken Land Van Saeftinghe in Zeeuws Vlaanderen. This took place during multiple work sessions, lectures, workshops, presentations, and in consultation with local stakeholders and experts. The following texts are from the accompanying publication: Saeftinghe Weids & Intiem.
https://www.cbkzeeland.nl/architectuur/saeftinghe-2021/publicatie-saeftinghe-2021-weids-intiem
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"Since the civilizing offensive of Pastor Camerman a century and a half ago, a progress offensive has been raging since the 1960s. Civilization came in the form of a church, progress in the form of mechanical noices and boats as big as skyscrapers. There have been repeated struggles for various residential communities along the banks of the Scheldt, but progress does not easily stop progressing once it starts.
Progress has left a trail of natural destruction, and now we see the urgency not to extend this trail. With that insight, an expansion of the port of Antwerp must now be compensated with new nature. That new nature must come somewhere, and it seems that Ouden Doel is losing out."
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“Pastoor Camerman ziet zichzelf bij zijn intrede vooral als de redder van een verloren, verwilderde gemeenschap die vraagt om een beschavingsoffensief.”
Paul de Schipper - De sterke van Saeftinghe
Research
Images that are characteristic of the environment. There are plenty of objects and buildings that need to be preserved, but the Port of Antwerp doesn't always take that into account. The sign saying 'onbeschermd' monument (unprotected monument) is a powerful statement.
The illustration above depicts the two timelines present in the area. In orange, the timeline of human influence primarily represents civilization along with its associated negative effects on the area.
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In green, the continuous timeline of the tide persists, unaffected by human influence, always present.
From research to design
Examples of vanished villages and communities due to the expansion of the Port of Antwerp. Ironically, the churches have remained standing as they enjoy protected status, unlike the rest of the former villages.
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In Ouden Doel, it's the opposite; the chapel has already vanished, thereby eroding the village's sense of existence.
"On the left is the vanished chapel. This served as the basis for the design. This picture is the only image that exists of the chapel.
With the disappearance of the chapel, the village lost a landmark in the landscape and a gathering place. A place for discussing the day. A place to come together to celebrate the arrival of spring. A place of communal ritual.
I aim to give Ouden Doel a new place for new traditions and rites to emerge. I want to resurrect the 'Spookkapel' (ghostly chapel); an iconic landmark, but also undoubtedly a place to gather."
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"I can already hear the bells ringing."
Design
Front view and positioning
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Schematic drawings illustrate the construction layout. The left drawing depicts the positioning of the chapel on the dike. The use of mesh as a material creates a transparent structure, allowing the chapel to blend into the surroundings. At the same time, the chapel serves as a landmark and gateway to Ouden Doel.
Schematic construction
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The drawing on the right shows the construction layout. The key element of the structure is the incorporation of light. This light fluctuates in intensity according to the rhythm of the tide in the Scheldt.
