An extensive participatory process regarding the future use of a building on the site of the PC Caritas psychiatric centre resulted in an unexpected proposal. The building’s already ruinous condition was seized upon to create several sheltered outdoor spaces within it. UTIL was asked to ensure that the interventions carried out on the building (at that stage) would not affect its overall structural stability. When cutting into a building so radically, one must remain highly attentive. Floor slabs, for example, play an equally important role in providing horizontal support to walls as they do in spanning spaces.

Nominated for European Mies van der Rohe Award 2019 : (de)construction of a psychiatric centre, Melle (JDV-15-PCC), architect : De Vylder Vinck Taillieu

Henry van de Velde Award 2018 : the (de)construction of a psychiatric centre, Melle (JDV-15-PCC), architect : De Vylder Vinck Taillieu

Silver Lion 2018, Venice Architecture Biennale: “UNLESS EVER PEOPLE / CARITAS FOR FREESPACE”, exhibition on the (de)construction of a psychiatric centre, Melle (JDV-15-PCC), architect : De Vylder Vinck Taillieu