Back in September 2012, we featured the Averbode Abbey Square by OMGEVING in Belgium and we were amazed at the reflective quality of the space and the attention to detail of the design and construction. OMGEVING has just won the Public Space Award 2013 for the Averbode Abbey’s Square. The Public Space Award 2013 was presented during the Day of the Public Space at Brussels Expo by Brussels’ Minister for Public Works Brigitte Grouwels.
The annual call for proposals resulted in 64 submissions, out of which the 44 most interesting realizations were collected in a book entitled Public Space. Five of them were nominated for the Public Space Award 2013, including the surroundings of the Noordbrug (Kortrijk), the Market Square (Deinze), the Korenmarkt (Mechelen), the Abbey Square (Scherpenheuvel – Zichem) and the C-Mine Square (Genk).
According to the jury: ‘The Abbey Square is a distinguished example of exquisite minimalism.’ With a determined serenity and unity in the space, and by very simple means, a new meaningful place was created. ‘Receiving and reflecting’ are key themes of this project. In the new courtyard of the Abbey, the historical buildings multiplied by the large water mirror, become an image of themselves, a mere shadow of reality. A physical reflection of the surroundings subconsciously stimulates the visitor to reflect on one’s past, present and future.
See and find out more about Averbode Abbey Square by OMGEVING
IMAGE CREDIT | Pol De Wilde