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Christine Conix, Antwerp
« During the past 30 years, all my projects were challenges, Christine Conix admits ». The Conix Architects firm is headed by the Antwerp architect with Sylvie Bruyninckx and it now has 80 employees in Antwerp and Brussels combined. The firm does not want to specialise in one particular sector or concentrate on consumer-architecture, which makes it a very diverse firm. Moreover, it works in both on a large-scale and a small scale, ranging from total urbanisation to furniture design. Christine Conix wants us to discover her buildings and learn to love them. There is not one building that will leave you untouched, however discreet they may be. After all, emotion provides the true benefit in architecture and the details become extremely important as well.
Without becoming pedantic, the architect defines four basic criteria in his/her work: the context (each location needs a separate analysis and approach), the human factor (emotion, culture), expertise (ability in technical drawing and knowledge of the budget provided), and the sustainable choice of materials and products. The latter criterion does take up a special position: within the « Energy » cell three people continually keep up with technological progress concerning sustainable development to be able to fit projects into this trend. However, building with sustainable materials, not using too much water and supporting recycling is not enough. You also need to care about the urban space, the heritage, and building methods. Although Christine Conix has been applying these principles intuitively since the beginning of her career as an architect, her firm has grown so much over the past 10 years that she has had to mark out these principles more formally in order to enable better communication with her various collaborators.
« The human value of architecture depends on the dimension and the materials; it concerns points of contact throughout the space and the volumes, Christine Conix told us confidentially more than 15 years ago. » In the light of these recent projects, the Conix Architect firm shows its grand qualities once again: originality, fresh ideas, clear answers, an open mind, and constant questions. With knowledge and dynamism. Wasn’t her main thought « Continuously in motion »?
1. Christine Conix
2. Renovation of the Atomium, Brussels (2006)
Thanks to an ambitious renovation project, the monument was restored to all its former glory: a technological feat from the fifties and a symbol of the European capital. Because of this work, the location could be interpreted differently, and the surface of the spheres was fully renewed (hollow-core constructions from stainless, mirrored steel). Moreover, the interior now meets the requirements for comfort and safety, while the fifties atmosphere is maintained. The fully cleaned admission platform opens up into a flexible exhibition space.
3. Williot, Berchem Antwerp (2007)
These dark brick blocks are part of a large project of family housing. The design of these apartments is based on a conceptual quest for diversity in each flat. Conix Architects has tried to communicate the human factor and the individual characteristics. The façade of the main building’s uniformity is rhythmically relieved by a number of windows.
4. Breda & Co Bank, Antwerp (2007)
After years of neglect, the former Goederenstation Zuid once again proves its glorious past. The feat of strength in the realisation was the balance between the original structure and the current elements of the new office building, which is similar to the old station (the same height, verticality and few openings). The façade is covered in black, patinated zinc and it reminds us of the industrial character of the location. Out of mutual respect, the two buildings do not touch, but they are interconnected by a double transparent footbridge.
5. Seamco, Ranst (2007)
The concept of this office building reflects the activity, which is the Seamco firm’s specialisation (machines for manufacturing reusable plastic bottles), mainly light and technological materials. While the upper part consists of one piece, the open and considerable base creates the effect of a floating storey. The double façade wall (high quality, double-glazing, and acrylic tubing) combined with the awning; the intensive ventilation and the alternative HVAC system make this a sustainable building project.
6. Umicore, Hoboken (under construction)
Conix Architects is working on a 110 Ha location in order to restore its structural cohesion and to give the Umicore Company a dynamic image. There were several interventions, particularly the renovation of a number of important buildings, creating green zones and constructing a new office building. The architectural character of this building with its extremely expressive design provides an emotional touch in an industrial context.
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