The Plastic Cycle / The Program

Most plastics on this planet end up in the ocean. Whilst recycling schemes in Europe claim to recycle waste produce, vast quantities of plastcs are actually sold overseas and dumped into landfills or into the ocean. Therefore there is a large requirement to close this system off and ensure that the plastic waste is reclaimed and re-purposed. The program of the thesis aims to provide this service for the waterways of Antwerp, in a way that allows teh public to understand what exactly is happening within their own city.

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The Site

The location for the thesis was chosen because of the relation of the existing buildings to the city and the port. The Loodswezen building once was the base of operation for the city's port pilots and stands as physical connection between these two. The site was also significant due to the fact that it is in a promising part of the city, but has never been connected. Throughout its development it as always been separated by canals, trainlines, tramways and roads. As such this was an oppertunity to provide the City with some active waterfront space which could be enjoyed, instead of being hidden away.

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Site Location PLan

The location of this site is on the outskirts of the historical city, and the old port. As such this area of antwerp is largely developed and the oppertunity to provide local residents with open living space is small. As can be seen from the location plan, this site provides a large area with access to green infastrcture and is one of very few sites along the entire east side of the river to utilise the riverbank for indiviudal recreation.

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Project Plan

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East Elevation

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Material Study | Detail Section

The project program revovled around the re-purposing of plastics and reducing the waste of the city. As such it seemed like an oppertune moment to explore how construction could also occur with reduced wastage. As such it was the intention of this thesis to explore how architecture could be built at large scales using natural materials and materials from the local area. As such much of the construction is proposed through reclaimed bricks, timber, and rammed earth.

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Site Cross Section

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Key Spaces & Visuals

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My thesis as you will see, focuses on the reduction of material wastage in our environment and construction industry. This thesis was a chance for me to explore areas of architecture that I have always been interested in. The key themes of this project are Natural Construction, Sustainability, and Adaptive re-use.

These topics are areas of Architecture that I am most interested in persuing and learning more about. As such I hope to potentially continue this focus into a Masters program and furhter into my professional career.