The scene depicts the picturesque qualities of an idyllic rural life. At the heart of the small, seemingly clear village centre, there still lies the church, the disused but symbolic centre of the community around which new public space is being designed, with a village square comprising a fountain and street furniture, and through the careful arrangement of the surrounding buildings. The Open Call projects collected here mainly concern community facilities: a town hall, a youth centre, the school, the fire station or police barracks, a care institution. The village organizes itself around a patchwork of squares, parks and gardens. The social housing in Gistel embraces the former village inn and encloses a garden. In the case of the town hall in Diksmuide, the fencing marks the transition between the square and an inner courtyard, while the glass galeria welcomes the residents and gives the historic belfry a contemporary appearance. 

(Maarten Liefooghe, Maarten Van Den Driessche)

photo UGent/Pierre Putman ©Gosia Olchowska

photo ©Gosia Olchowska