Rabot Baths, Ghent. Belgium
For this project I was part of a group of five presented with the title ‘Timeless and Enduring Architecture’ with a central theme called "monument". With a group made up of international students on Erasmus study we had to provide an understanding of both title and theme loaded with personal interpretation.
The chosen site was located in Rabot, Ghent, containing large structures of two gas-holders lying ruined since the closure of an industry that once existed. The gas-holders, the oldest remaining of their kind and scale in Belgium, where listed objects meaning any scheme implemented would have to be with due care and respect towards architectural and historical interests. Analysis of the local context discovered that residents of the area lived in cramped housing conditions which lacked basic sanitary equipment such as a bath or shower. From this the Rabot Baths where born and incorporated into the gas-holders. The final scheme not only provides identity and redefines space through the monument of the gas-holders, but also provides a public function through the necessity of bathing. Through integrating monument and architecture an extra layer has been added to an already existing monument, increasing these structures life span, thus overcoming time.
Our group was forwarded to the City Hall of Ghent to present our scheme as one which should be noted and possibly considered for the future development of the Rabot area.
The chosen site was located in Rabot, Ghent, containing large structures of two gas-holders lying ruined since the closure of an industry that once existed. The gas-holders, the oldest remaining of their kind and scale in Belgium, where listed objects meaning any scheme implemented would have to be with due care and respect towards architectural and historical interests. Analysis of the local context discovered that residents of the area lived in cramped housing conditions which lacked basic sanitary equipment such as a bath or shower. From this the Rabot Baths where born and incorporated into the gas-holders. The final scheme not only provides identity and redefines space through the monument of the gas-holders, but also provides a public function through the necessity of bathing. Through integrating monument and architecture an extra layer has been added to an already existing monument, increasing these structures life span, thus overcoming time.
Our group was forwarded to the City Hall of Ghent to present our scheme as one which should be noted and possibly considered for the future development of the Rabot area.