Do you read me? – Gazet van Antwerpen Antwerp
The recent merge of media groups Concentra and Corelio in 2014 into “Mediahuis” caused quite a stir in the Belgian media landscape. Printing facilities and activities were subject to a strategic make-over, with the development of the new Mediahuis headquarters as a result.
The building was initially constructed for the Gazet Van Antwerpen and their media related spin-offs. Now the premises truly fulfills its function as a business center for all kinds of media related companies. The location of the building at Antwerp’s Left Bank is interesting in terms of the upcoming Oosterweelverbinding, an additional connection over the river Scheldt. Once that infrastructure is realized, the building will be the highlight on the corner of a new city block along the extended “Singel” ring road.
The attractive rhythm of the façade and its nicely elaborated brickwork give the building a human scale. The articulation of the volume embraces a charming courtyard that brings in daylight into the deep center of the building.
Challenges & solutions
To initiate openness and interaction between different companies, we opened up the building, dividing it into different open units. Apart from a communal space in the forum of the entrance hall and an atrium filled with light, we installed an open staircase to improve communication and connectivity between different units.