Christ & Gantenbein and Bovenbouw Architectuur team was selected from a group of six finalists, who were required to demonstrate high spatial and architectural quality, with particular attention to sustainability and circular construction principles.
The new museum building will be located at the Court of Appeals' site in Waalsekaai, Antwerp. This location provides a central point between the Scheldekaaien and Zuidpark, ensuring the best possible integration into the Het Zuid arts and culture district. The Flemish Community founded the M HKA in 1985 as a non-profit organization.
Like other iconic towers in the city, this layered structure, designed by Christ & Gantenbein and Bovenbouw Architectuur, facilitates a wide variety of spaces. The proposal aims to bring together both introverted and extroverted spaces: the project is a stacked ensemble of sections with differentiated uses, rising above the city and giving the new museum its specific form. The tower's volume is the result of the OR regulations, which corroborate the choice of high-rise buildings on this site for several reasons.
The city wants to create an iconic building that strengthens the cultural core of the Het Zuid district and forms a landmark in the city landscape. The location on the Waalsekaai, between the Scheldt quays and Zuidpark, requires a building that stands out in height and form, and thus forms a connection between these important urban spaces. Furthermore, high-rise buildings offer the opportunity to make optimal use of the available space. This allows us to achieve a more compact volume with more functions.
The gross floor area of the new building will be approximately 18,500 m², doubling the current museum. Of this area, approximately 7,300 m² will be used for exhibition spaces, 200 m² for research functions, 5,800 m² for social events, and 5,200 m² for support functions. The maximum height of the building is 80 meters.
