An Inquiry into Intentional Values: The Arenawijk in Antwerp – Renaat Braem’s Modernist Social Housing Ensemble as a Case Study

Nadin Augustiniok,Marie Moors,Koenraad Van Cleempoel,Bie Plevoets

doi:10.31577/archandurb.2021.55.3-4.2

Abstract

Renaat Braem’s Arenawijk in Antwerp is a key example of Belgian post-war modernism, representing the development of social housing as a state-building enterprise. Considering the building’s continuous use and current redevelopment, this paper explores the expansion of Belgium’s current legal heritage protection, which is based on heritage values. Additional ‘intentional values’ would focus on the […]

Highlights

Komplex sociálneho bývania Arenawijk (1964 – 1971) v Antverpách v súčasnosti prechádza rekonštrukciou, v rámci ktorej sa polovica budov prestaví a druhá polovica zbúra a nahradí novými stavbami
Postwar modernist social housing estates occupy a special position in architectural heritage, both for their material and immaterial values
In terms of functional values, alternative uses could be considered due to the incompatibility of the current condition of the flats with social housing regulations, especially since the construction of load-bearing concrete walls and the nonload-bearing interior walls offers a certain flexibility in the room layout

Summary

Heritage Values in the Flemish Context

Postwar modernist social housing estates occupy a special position in architectural heritage, both for their material and immaterial values. The protection of ‘monuments and buildings whose preservation is of national interest from [a] historical, artistic or scientific point of view’[12] has been based on recognition of heritage values since the first Belgian law on the Protection of Monuments and Landscapes in 1931.13 The current Flemish legislation refers to archaeological, architectural, artistic, cultural, aesthetic, historical, industrial-archaeological, technical, spatial-design, social, urban-planning, folklore and scientific value to identify cultural assets. As the legislation cannot take into account possible changes, the assessment of the heritage value is based on the actual condition of the building This excludes considerations of repairs in the case of defects in the building fabric (e.g. holes in the roof) and alterations in the floor plan or function of the building. By identifying potentials and anticipating changes in the building fabric and the significance of the building, the aim is to bridge the gap ASSESSMENT REFLEXIVE

HERITAGE VALUES

Conclusion