beekkant_txt — vvv architecture urbanisme

Beekkant Square is a typical space in the contemporary city. As a public space, it is the result of major transformations in the city of Brussels over recent decades. A group of social housing towers has been built on the site of the former West Station industrial and artisanal area, including the two Maechtens towers (Molenbeek housing) that border the site to the north. Later, the metro came to double the railway lines, and the West Station became a wasteland. The parking lot at the foot of the towers was subsequently redeveloped into a neighborhood park. The project to redevelop the public spaces around Beekkant station is thus an opportunity to (re)build continuity in the ground to make the city comfortable and accessible to all. Three major landscape features articulate this new square: the platform (the metro station forecourt), the Beekkant garden (at the foot of the social housing towers), and the garden lounge (a space available to residents).