share & repair - 2024

location antwerpen, belgium

year 2024

project makerspace

type public building

size 660m2

Starting from an observation tool that removed sight from the equation, I immersed myself in the sensations of Eilandje through sound, touch, and smell. This approach revealed a new perspective: removing visual dominance helped me appreciate subtler layers of my surroundings. I slowed down, observing how locals bring a sense of play and identity to the area, creating a foundation for a strong, vibrant community. Here, old meets new in a constant dialogue of waste and reuse, with Eilandje's unique flow of discarded materials from the port and demolitions inviting sustainable reimagination.

Exploring the Belgische Fruitbeurs building, built in the early 20th century by Belgian fruit traders, I uncovered a story woven with traces of Belgium’s colonial past. The building’s history—rooted in wealth from colonial plantations in Congo—reminds us that colonialism is not simply history; its legacy endures in the resources we use today. With this in mind, I envisioned Share & Repair: a concept blending education, reuse, and gathering spaces. My design includes a vibrant marketplace for fabric repair and exchange, a flexible courtyard for community events, and a makerspace to repurpose textiles. The shared corner building will host public spaces for lectures, exhibitions, and activism.

Share & Repair celebrates Eilandje’s layered history while actively promoting a future grounded in sustainability and social engagement. By connecting past, present, and future, the project offers a pathway for community growth centered on repair and connection.