AN EXPERIENCE CENTRE FOR VRIJBROEKPARK
The bustling Vrijbroepark, a park of the Province of Antwerp on the outskirts of Mechelen, currently already offers a wide range of services, including sports and games, walking, plant collections, and events. This project explores how the brasserie Vrijbroekhof can become an experience center for all its visitors. Here, people of all ages will learn and meet each other, with nature in the park as a common thread. The future experience center will provide a place for new services with a shop, an exhibition space, a learning environment, and a revamped catering service. In addition, an interactive path will guide visitors to the center.
Walkthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ht0ewtMQuJA
Coaches:
Nansi Van Geetsom
Tom Verbist
Andrea Wilkinson
![](https://ideamechelen.be/wp-content/uploads/finalprojectsteams1_103064_7911515_Image-2-uai-258x258.png)
THE EXPERIENCE IN PARCO
WHERE YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT THE VRIJBROEKPARK
Did you know: Trees have a cooling effect by absorbing water through the root system and evaporating it through the leaves? The difference in temperature between city and countryside can be up to 7 degrees. The aim of this project is to let visitors discover the hidden treasures and importance of the Vrijbroekpark. The inclusive experience space facilitates intergenerational play and interaction. The park consists of three parts: Active (VRIJ), Adventure (BROEK) and Admire (PARK). This division is also reflected in the exhibition. Visitors are introduced to the sports in the park, competition history, fauna and flora and how they contribute to a sustainable society.
Team:
Eva Burger, Building & Construction Engineer (The Netherlands)
Brent Van Genechten, Interior Designer (Belgium)
Mohamed Adkaich, Graphic Designer (Morocco)
Md Nabid Hasan Shovon, Architect (Bangladesh)
RANGER CAMP, AN INCLUSIVE CAMP
This design challenge focuses on providing educational services that enable learning about nature and sustainability. Our goal is to educate and engage participants through playful and engaging activities both indoors and outdoors at Vrijbroek Park. This will instil a love of nature in all generations and connect them.
The solution provides an educational space where both the park’s current range of activities, as well as new workshops will be conducted. The Ranger camps organized in this space are also part of the new concept. These vacation camps welcome participants from all backgrounds, connect older volunteers with children, and encourage children to become nature ambassadors. The goal of these camps is to create a sense of community through nature. Finally, the space can also be rented out to externals at times when it is not in use, maximizing utility and generating revenue.
Team:
Yasmine Maleki, Architect (Iran)
Armelle Schiltz, Product designer (Belgium)
Hazel van Son , Product designer (Belgium)
Larissa Fourie, Environmental designer (Botswana)
![](https://ideamechelen.be/wp-content/uploads/finalprojectsteams2_95623_7911757_Killer-image-uai-258x258.png)
![](https://ideamechelen.be/wp-content/uploads/finalprojectsteams3_94829_7911481_image-3-uai-258x258.jpg)
INTERGENERATIONAL EXPLORATION IN THE PARK
The goal of this project is to help visitors see the many wonders of the park in a new way. Enjoying the park’s fauna and flora is possible for everyone, regardless of age and abilities. New facilities and installations in the park elevate the visitor experience. Enjoy the park in a wheelchair that can be booked online. Need some company or extra help? You can find a buddy through the online buddy system. These services aim to make it possible for everyone to comfortably explore the park.
Additionally, you can rent binoculars at the experience center to view various animals and flowers in a different way, feeling closer to nature. The installations throughout the park guide you to see nature from new perspectives. All these services aim to create a more inclusive and collective environment where visitors can connect, enjoy together, and discover Vrijbroekpark.
Team:
Luna Dopazo Dacosta, Product Designer (Belgium)
Sagenen Tudu, Graphic Designer (Bangladesh)
PARK HAPP
How can a scaled-down food service add unique value in transforming the current brasserie into an experience center, where the gastronomic experience is no longer the main focus? We present: Park Happ, a small-scale croque bar that welcomes and brings together people of all ages.
The goal is to preserve the essence of the location and integrate our service with the other services and the future vision of the park. Thanks to the location and design, parents can watch their children play from the building while enjoying a snack or drink. By carefully selecting ingredients and materials, waste and food waste are minimized. Inclusion is ensured in various aspects such as age, budget, and staff, making it a social meeting place that fits perfectly with the park.
Team:
Vera Barros, Architect (Portugal)
Daniel García Rosales, Product Designer (Mexico)
Majed Mikhael, Graphic Designer (Lebanon)
Thomas Van Rooy, Visual Designer (Belgium)
![](https://ideamechelen.be/wp-content/uploads/finalprojectsteams4_LATE_98048_7914768_12_Vision-uai-258x145.jpg)
![](https://ideamechelen.be/wp-content/uploads/finalprojectsteams5_94041_7911713_1-uai-258x258.png)
THE ‘VRIJBROEK MARKET’, WHERE PEOPLE COME TO EXPERIENCE AND LEARN
The challenge is to create a shop that offers educational and sustainable products, with nature in the park as a guiding principle. This encourages visitors to live more consciously and sustainably. This challenge is closely linked to the park’s five pillars: inclusivity, intergenerationality, learning about nature, connecting with nature, and sustainability. The shop offers a unique, seasonal assortment of park-made, park-based, and locally made products. The modular shop concept is built on inclusive design principles, catering to everyone and strengthening the community by bringing together people, products, and organizations.
Team:
Olivia Doms, interior architect (Belgium)
Floris Carpentero, interior architect (Belgium)
Dipa Dey, fine arts (Bangladesh)
Naomi May, product design (UK)
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Vrijbroekpark and the Province of Antwerp for their dedication and participation.
https://www.instagram.com/postgradspaceandservicedesign/