Marc Koehler Wins Competition to Design Edegem Community Center and Library

Marc Koehler Architects (MKA) has taken first-place in the Open Oproep 28 design competition to design a leisure center, dubbed "The Missing Link." The competition challenged them to develop a community center, art center, and library for a municipality in Belgium. Located in suburban Edegem, the design strives to become the region's cultural hub and form a cohesive connection between its established public spaces.

Marc Koehler Wins Competition to Design Edegem Community Center and Library - HandrailMarc Koehler Wins Competition to Design Edegem Community Center and Library - Image 3 of 7Marc Koehler Wins Competition to Design Edegem Community Center and Library - Windows, ChairMarc Koehler Wins Competition to Design Edegem Community Center and Library - Image 5 of 7Marc Koehler Wins Competition to Design Edegem Community Center and Library - More Images+ 2

Marc Koehler Wins Competition to Design Edegem Community Center and Library - Image 5 of 7
Courtesy of Marc Koehler Architects

A collaborative project with Delobelle Architecten and DELVA Landscape Architecture, the proposal takes a respectful design approach due to its central location within a crop of historic landmarks. Nestled within a 19th century garden and neo-Flemish Renaissance structures, the new leisure center expertly incorporates these elements through a dual volume design. An upper volume houses the library and nods to the surrounding architecture, while below, a glass pavilion frames the garden and hosts the community center. Through these means, the new structure establishes a sequence between the city's cultural points and provides areas for exhibition, reading, and reflection.

Marc Koehler Wins Competition to Design Edegem Community Center and Library - Table, Chair
Courtesy of Marc Koehler Architects

In addition to the competition's prescribed program, the leisure center incorporates a residential element to boost the value of the region. Located in a privileged section of Edegem, the funds obtained by selling these properties can be funneled back into the project, allowing it to meet sustainable and energy-efficient goals.

Marc Koehler Wins Competition to Design Edegem Community Center and Library - Handrail
Courtesy of Marc Koehler Architects

A central part of the community, the leisure center places the public at its heart, working closely with Edegem inhabitants from the start of the design process. As plans are solidified, the design team will continue its partnership with local residents to ensure the new center best caters to its occupants' needs.

Marc Koehler Wins Competition to Design Edegem Community Center and Library - Image 3 of 7
Courtesy of Marc Koehler Architects

Construction of The Missing Link will begin in late 2016.

  • Architects

  • Project Architect

    Carlos Moreira (MKA)
  • Design Team

    Marc Koehler, Carlos Moreira, Ivo Jelinek, Marjin Luijmes, Martina Giordanengo, Susana Ayres, Simon Jiracek, Robby Delobelle, Brecht Pot, Steven Delva, Pieter Theuws, Rens Wijnakker, Sander Van Den Bosch
  • Collaborators

    Delobelle Architecten and DELVA Landscape Architects
  • Client

    Gemeente Edegem
  • Area

    2180.0 sqm
  • Project Year

    2016
  • Photographs

    Courtesy of Marc Koehler Architects
  • Project Year

    2016
  • Photographs

    Courtesy of Marc Koehler Architects
  • Area

    2180.0 m2

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About this office
Cite: Holly Giermann. "Marc Koehler Wins Competition to Design Edegem Community Center and Library" 09 Apr 2015. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/617436/marc-koehler-wins-competition-to-design-edegem-community-center-and-library> ISSN 0719-8884

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