Hans De Pelsmacker

The square has been recently constructed around a large gas pipework and a new police station. The square is largely divided by an abundance of added elements such as traffic signs, flagpoles, dustbins, signs etc. This specific situation forms the basis for the concept. Instead of creating one autonomous work of art, the place itself, with all its already existing and added elements, becomes the design. Yet there is a coherence in the design: like the figures in a game of chess, the elements vary in form, colour and location, but they are interpreted as a whole.

The elements added to the already existing elements are sculptural and diverse with respect to material and form, as well as functional: a bench to sit on, a fives wall, lighting and hedges.

The population of this area is young: a lot of young families, the proximity of a school and the town centre. This square, turned into a work of art, is therefore first of all for the people living in the neighbourhood, the students and passers-by. It is a place to meet, to play soccer, to picnic, or simply to spend some time together and, with the police office nearby, a safe place par excellence.

The gas pipework is for the most part hidden behind a high hedge, a concrete fives wall and a wall of vertical wooden beams. On the street side a higher concrete wall will also serve as fives wall. LED-lighting will be integrated in the shortest sides of the concrete walls, which will be covered by transparent plates. A long concrete bowed bench will be constructed, made of casts of tree branches and a flat top. The square is covered with dolomite, just like it is today, and lighted by a detached light fitting. In the park straight across the police office fruit trees will be planted. Fruit trees are generous, human trees carrying flowers and fruit. As they are not very big, the police office will still be clearly visible from the street. The work of art has two appearances: a sculptural and a functional one. But it also has two appearances in time: during the day visible by the positioning of several elements, at night visible by the different light elements.

Commissioned by: the Community of Schoten
Open contest
Proposal 2009