Concise.pdf - Brugge Plus

Architecture and monuments
Bruges is a city of monuments, and is full of superb architecture from down the centuries.
Due to the qualities of Bruges’ heritage, but also on account of the city’s tendency to look at
this with a degree of nostalgia, Brugge 2002 resolutely decided to be a catalyst for contemporary
architecture in this city.
The architecture association Archipel came up with the idea of giving high-quality
contemporary architecture a place on the Burg, on the site where the St Donatian
cathedral once stood, alongside examples of architecture in various styles from previous
centuries. With great unpretentiousness, the Japanese architect Toyo Ito
designed a pavilion for BRUGGE 2002 as an ephemeral space between present and
past. It became a masterly example of high-tech ingenuity in terms of stability and
materials. It floats, as it were, on the pond, which makes reference to the foundation
of the St Donatian Cathedral. From the outset the pavilion took on a great symbolic
value and an international allure. It was discussed in numerous specialist architecture
magazines.
A pedestrian bridge over the Coupure had already been the dream of a whole neighbourhood
for years. Together with the Flemish government architect bOb Van Reeth,
BRUGGE 2002 set about looking for a first-rate designer and found the Swiss engineer
and architect Jürg Conzett. The Coastal Waterways department of the Ministry of the
Flemish Community was immediately convinced and implemented this exceptional
project. Jürg Conzett designed an ingenious lift bridge in wood, natural stone and
Cor-Ten steel – wood and bluestone as a reference to the natural materials from the
Bruges area, and Cor-Ten steel because this takes on a patina that has the same colour
as the roofing tiles in Bruges.
The Canal Island, the parking place for coaches, was relaid by the Flemish Region and
the city of Bruges. A new traffic system was introduced, and a waiting square with
bathroom block and a new bridge to the Minnewater Park were built. All this was
given a striking design at the hands of the Dutch firm West 8, assisted by architects
Poponcini & Lootens.
But the project commanding the greatest impact is undoubtedly the new Concertgebouw.
As a candidate for the title of Cultural Capital of Europe, the city of Bruges
decided to build a concert hall. After an international architecture competition the
design was awarded to the Robbrecht/Daem firm of architects. The Concertgebouw
was built in a notably short period so that the opening concert of BRUGGE 2002 on
February 20 th 2002 could be held there. In the meantime the Concertgebouw has
already become an integral part of the Bruges cityscape, even though it is still having
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CONCISE © TRUI GALLE
Orchestra of the Renaissance