During this project we were challenged to understand the changing meaning of architecture in this world in transition. ‘The act of building’ is a part of an infinite process of construction where the extraction of resources is as much part of the design as its physical outcome.
We had the pleasure to receive multiple workshops from BC Materials where we were introduced to a multitude of earth typologies.

After extensive analysis of Flanders’ soil types and their advantageous properties we managed to develop an analysis of Flemish soils and create a prototypeo f a building brick made solely out of local, East-Flanders based earth. (I had the pleasure to summarize the research and work by all the students in a website which you can visit at adocircular.org )

We were asked to design a watch-tower in this abandoned quarry in Stekene in East-Flanders, which is recovering from its former industrial history back into a firest, allowing natural wildlife to flourish again.

It is our intention not to disturb this atmosphere, on the contrary we want to create a place to observe the occurring transformation of the landscape. In order to respect the wild birds on site, a large part of the quarry is kept inaccessible and we approach the watchtower along an existing path on the western border next to the dense forest. The watchtower is integrated into this wood and consists of a base of wooden columns topped with a viewing platform with rammed earth walls. In this way we become invisible spectators.