E X T R A : the added place to

the added place to play / relax / think / create

The TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) is a warehouse complex near the canal of Brussels, located next to the Thurn & Taxis site. It covers 160.000 m² of storage space and is connected to the waterway through a platform in the Vergrotedok. The building has a distinctive facade due to the refined window pattern. This is not the only thing that makes the building remarkable. Right in front of the building a large, concrete viaduct, connects the street level with the second level. It creates a permanent impression on the street. Through the addition of the viaduct, two different spaces are experienced: one below the viaduct and one above. Although both levels are used very often, they don’t offer a versatility of functions. Only one particular function can take place: logistics. While the usage of the bike and other carbon-neutral transportation methods should be stimulated, cars and trucks still gain all attention here.

Our starting point is to regain the public and human scale. For this, we put bike usage to the foreground. To achieve this we opt to change the function of the viaduct. Instead of trucks going up and down, it will be cyclists and pedestrians who will benefit from the viaduct. With a newly created access on the west side of the viaduct, consisting of a big open staircase and two elevators, both pedestrians, cyclists and goods can easily go up. To preserve a part of the logistical function, level 0 and 1 stay untouched. Level 2 and 3 will transform into a new place within the existing building. EXTRA: the added place to play, relax, think, create. Our second fundamental idea is to strive for a building where flexibility, multifunctionality and reuse form the central focus points. By doing as much as possible on-site and using materials of the existing building we prevent unnecessary transport and thus emissions. On-site, two building materials are manufactured, which are easily applicable throughout the whole building. The first one is a wallpanel made of wooden plates and recycled denim insulation. The second one is tiles made of demolition materials of the viaduct entrance and brick interior walls.

To create an efficient organisation on our construction site we work in five different phases. Hereby the finished parts can already fulfil their role as public space while the rest of the building is still under construction. This makes the building dynamic and forethoughtful.

PHASE ONE Because of a new road that will lead to Thurn & Taxis, a small part of the viaduct on the west side of the building will be demolished. Next, a hallway of 7,5m width is freed up on level 2 on the same side of the building. All demolition materials will be stored here for later use. After this, an open area in the middle of the building is created by removing the top floor and ceiling. In this way we create an enclosed square on level 2 so more light can enter the building. It also creates room for two double high open spaces. Thereafter the four existing cores are expanded to allow an occupancy rate of 1350 people per floor.

In this phase the access and the elevators will be placed. During construction the biggest elevator will be used for the transportation of building materials. After construction the goods lift will serve as a bicycle elevator. On the viaduct the public square is shaped by adding activators like benches, skate ramps and movable platforms. The entrance of the building is clarified by the enlarged platform that follows the existing triangle pattern.

The first function to be installed here is a tile atelier. Tiles will be manufactured to use as an elevated floor in the public hallway. All technical functions lay underneath them. Some other functions in the east wing will also be definite: a daycare, a circular library and an information desk at the entrance to welcome the visitors. The spaces on level 2 directly connected to the viaduct will function as a commercial area.

The centre is an open space due to phase one. Two double high spaces and an enclosed square can now be formed here. Wooden laminated spans are used to span the two columnless spaces. These are the only elements that don’t enter the building via the goods lift. Two helophyte filtering basins are placed on the enclosed square. After this the big window panels surrounding the square can be installed. The square is completed by laying out a surface of reused bricks.

Here the construction logics of the east wing are used again. However, the practical experience gained during phase 3 (east wing) is used to improve the construction of this last building part. As in the east wing, some spaces are already defined in the west wing. There are a cafeteria and a bike repair shop and the backstage of the multipurpose event hall is formed. Other spaces are adjustable and flexible for different uses. The last step of construction is to transform the storage hallway into a bicycle parking.

Now the building EXTRA is finished, it is ready to become a hotspot in the middle of a vibrant area in Brussels. By regaining the public, it can contribute to the shift towards a city for the people.

PHASE TWO

PHASE THREE

PHASE FOUR

PHASE FIVE VISION