Integration with the Landscape And Coastal Management
Our team approached the assignment of Duincasino building on the coast of Middelkerke and simultaneously reinforcing the existing sea dike from the perspective of the original landscape. With our design, we are adding a new and innovative dune landscape to the existing coast, with at its heart a striking building that will stand as a new beacon on the sea. We do not add a stand-alone casino building but create a landscape that rewrites the historic relationship of the seaside town with the sea.
New Beacon along the Sea
The assignment of building a new Venue Building on the coast of Middelkerke and simultaneously reinforcing the existing sea dike was approached from the perspective of the original landscape. With the design, a renewed dune landscape is added to the existing coast, with at its heart a striking building that will stand as a new beacon along the sea. The Venue Building Middelkerke will offer room for a casino, hotel, restaurant, multifunctional event space and an underground parking garage, ensuring a car-free zone on street level. In addition to reinforcing the sea barrier and making it car-free, the design also forms a part of an improved public space where the boulevard and Epernay Square are unified.
New Public Space
The Duincasino design creates an ample public space with the existing Epernay Square as its centre. The dike is moved onto the beach, extending the current Epernay Square while integrating it into the landscape. An underground parking garage ensures a car-free zone. Connecting the town, the square and the beach is a huge artificial dune in which the casino, the public hall for concerts and exhibitions and a restaurant are located.
Sea lyme grass, water elements and sand gullies flowing towards the beach simulate a dune experience. The new public space, with the climb to the green square on top of the dunes, is a tourist attraction in its own right.
Sustainable Icon at the Flemish Coast
Attached to it is the beach hotel with its enigmatic sculptural silhouette, an understated icon with an open grid of curved beams in accoya wood. The design optimizes energy, waste management and production processes and applies recyclable materials where possible.
Duincasino Middelkerke
Designer Credit: DELVA Landscape architecture | Urbanism
Client: Municipality Middelkerke
Collaborators/Other Consultants:
ZJA Architects
Images: DELVA unless otherwise captioned