Prague reveals design plans for the Vltava Philharmonic Hall
The Danish studio Bjarke Ingels Group won the international architectural competition
The the new Mechelen library, housed in a former monastery offers an air of Christian scholasticism , Source: Het Predikheren - Bibliotheek Mechelen on Facebook
The Flemish government has decided to invest 4 million euros into developing Mechelen’s cultural campus, based around a gothic cathedral and monastery
Last Wednesday, the Belgian city of Mechelen announced it will receive an investment of 4 million euros for local cultural infrastructure. The investment was put up by the Flemish Government and the bulk of the money will go towards renovating the 17th century Het Predikheren Cathedral, turning it into a multi-purpose cultural centre.
The other portion of the budget will go towards renovations in the adjacent monastery and courtyard, where the city moved its library back in 2019. The courtyard will become the home of a ‘cultural square', an open air-space for a wholesome cultural campus.
The project is set to finish in 2024, and the campus will get a unique archway, marking the entrance to the special space.
The Cathedral will be completely refurbished and will feature a movable auditorium, that will be perfectly suited for intimate events like theatre, concerts and corporate events. While the project calls for many of the architectural staples, such as the arches and columns to remain in place, it also features movable panels that will give curators the opportunity to shift and shape the space according to the needs.
The cobblestone floor will be partially preserved as city officials want to give the central hall a wooden floor to make way for the church to be used as a dance hall - something Mechelen currently lacks. On the other hand, the mezzanine floor will function as a balcony for any performances taking place in the central hall, while also being a reading room and an extension of the library.
Meanwhile, according to a report by VRT, the site of the old city library will be transformed into 22 affordable housing units, while the building of the library’s caretaker will become a street site business venue hosting the first urban vegetable garden in Mechelen.
Reportedly, city authorities have said they are looking for someone to lease the space and create a sustainable business that makes use of the vegetable garden, which will also be the responsibility of the new tenant.
The REPowerEU 200 billion-euro plan calls for a gradual reduction of Russian fuel imports
The summer ticket will be valid on local and regional trains, buses, as well as on the U-Bahn and S-Bahn
The Danish studio Bjarke Ingels Group won the international architectural competition
The city also added a new bathing area
The new Walking and Cycling Index shows that an overwhelming majority want to live in 20-minute neighbourhoods
Explore the underbelly of the city’s most iconic site in the moonlit hours
The REPowerEU 200 billion-euro plan calls for a gradual reduction of Russian fuel imports
Close engagement initiatives with the business sector and residents were key to spreading the idea across the board
The new Walking and Cycling Index shows that an overwhelming majority want to live in 20-minute neighbourhoods
The city also added a new bathing area
The installation of the sensors is part of its “Smart Museum” project
Authorities want to do away with the passive status of nature in the city
These will be spread across 11 EU countries and will serve to support the EU Missions
The European Commission has accepted to develop the idea
An interview about AYR, one of the 2021 New European Bauhaus Prize winners
An interview with Nigel Jollands and Sue Goeransson from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
An interview with the President of the City of Athens Reception & Solidarity Centre
A talk with the Mayor of Malmö on the occasion of the city’s UN Resilience Hub status