In recent years, the Province of West Flanders has developed a strong innovation-oriented operation through POM West Flanders and TUA West under the name ‘Fabrieken voor de Toekomst’ (Factories for the future). Giving companies access to (knowledge) infrastructure and providing them with tools to adapt to the rapidly changing world are central to this operation. At the same time, we are building a bridge between the research and the business world because we are convinced that cross-fertilization works.

A network of thematic science parks has been developed in recent years with a strong sectoral focus. In a next phase, we will make a cross-sectoral link between the different Factories. Besides collaboration on content, there will also be a physical focal point where knowledge institutions from different networks and companies can meet on neutral ground and have a platform at their disposal for the valorization of their innovative trajectories: a scientific mouseion.

To this end, we wish to erect a new building on Hoog Kortrijk as a counterpart to the small castle in Empire style dating from the first half of the nineteenth century to be found on the same site (and which was listed as architectural heritage in 2009). A publicly accessible rose garden is located between the castle and the building site. The new building should not only act as a landmark for the site, but also express a future vision for scientific and industrial development in West Flanders. Knowledge is central in this development, with sustainable energy and circularity as the main themes, and with attention to continuity and connection with the past. In functional terms, both buildings will therefore be part of the same science hub and will be operated by the same party.

We are looking for a design team that can design and realize an innovative and sustainable model project within the context of a park site with special heritage value. The relation to the small castle and integration into the environment are essential. The volume and footprint of the new construction must therefore be attuned to that of the small castle (200 m², height approx. 15 m). For the realization of the new construction, an existing building needs to be demolished. A design sketch for the layout of the surroundings must ensure coherence with the rose garden. A low dynamic public road (Pypestraat) runs between the castle and the building site. One of the challenges for the architecture and the sketch of the surroundings is to visually integrate this road into the park.

The new construction will be the place where all community events of the Factories and TUA West will take place. The park and the rose garden will remain publicly accessible. The new building will accommodate a multipurpose space, meeting rooms and some offices. Economical use of space and multifunctionality will be integrated in the architectural concept, as will an explicit emphasis on circularity and sustainability. A catering facility will be provided, and some of the office spaces, like the meeting rooms and the multipurpose space, can be rented out to third parties who recognize the importance of collaboration.

The conviviality of the space (buildings and park) is essential. This means that the architecture and its surroundings should facilitate encounters. The project as a whole should not be designed for one specific function but should be able to accommodate different functions for different groups. The design should also take into account a future rearrangement of the building without major interior adaptation works.

Transparency and accessibility, both between the different spaces in the building and in its relation to the surroundings, should stand for the open-mindedness that the site must exude. The park of the rose garden connects the future (new volume) with the past (listed castle). The site as a whole stands for a positive, voluntarist vision of the future on a human scale, driven by knowledge and by collaboration.

Included in the assignment/fee of the project

• the architectural study
• the stability study
• the study of the climate and all special techniques, including EPB reporting (energy performance of buildings): HVAC, sanitary facilities, electricity, telephony, data, fire detection and protection, burglary prevention and access control, sound and videophony, lifts
• the study of the layout of the outdoor space and of the green layout in the form of a sketch design
• the study of the interior layout, including fixed furniture
• the organization of the procedure for the appointment of the safety coordinator.

To be submitted with the application

1. The ESPD must be included for each applicant among the documents in 'My Open Call' (the online profile on the website, not in the portfolio).
2. Non-Belgian applicants must also attach their supporting documents regarding tax and social debts and a non-bankruptcy certificate through their ‘My Open Call’ account.
3. A motivation text and 3 reference projects explaining their relevance must be added to the online application module.
4. The portfolio (.pdf) with max. 20 pages in A4 size (*) and (**) must be added in the online application process and will contain the following information:
   - cover (1 A4)
   - proof of registration with the Order of Architects (1 A4)
   - the CVs of 3 members of the project team who are guaranteed to work on this assignment, demonstrating the required expertise (max. 2 A4s per team member)
   - clarification of the 3 reference projects (max. 4 A4s per project)
5. If an applicant relies on third-party capacity, the portfolio should be expanded to include:
   - the signed commitment agreement of the office relied upon
   - the ESPD of the office relied upon.

* Portfolios exceeding 20 pages will be shortened to the first 20 pages. Anything from page 21 onward will be deleted. 

** If the applicant relies on the capacity of a subcontractor, only the subcontractor’s signed commitment agreement and ESPD will be considered in addition to the first 20 pages.

Selection conditions

An application must meet the following conditions to be considered for selection:

1. Applicants must be registered with the Order of Architects.
2. A motivation text must be submitted regarding the social dimension of the assignment. In doing so, the candidate demonstrates that his or her work method can achieve a social objective and guarantee the public function.
3. A project team will be formed consisting of 3 people who are guaranteed to work on the assignment. In terms of expertise, the project team should be composed as follows:
   - the leader of the project team is an expert in architecture with at least 5 years of experience as a project leader on public projects
   - at least 1 expert in landscaping.
4. The applicant must submit 3 of their own reference projects. The reference projects must meet the following conditions:
   - at least 1 of the reference projects demonstrates the applicant’s experience with projects in which sustainable energy and circularity are central;
   - at least 1 of the reference projects demonstrates the applicant’s experience with building in the context of a publicly accessible park and/or 1 of the reference projects demonstrates that the applicant has experience designing a public building.
   The following applies to these reference projects:
   - the reference projects can be built, under construction or in (preliminary) design phase; competition entries are also authorized;
   - the reference should explain what role the designer played in the relevant reference project;
   - the references demonstrate the way in which the designer deals with the existing context and the surroundings.

Reliance on third-party capacities

An office or a temporary partnership can rely on the capacity of third parties:

• if it cannot provide the required references
• if it cannot provide the necessary expertise within the 3-person project team.

If an office or a temporary partnership relies on the capacity of third parties, the portfolio must also include:

• a commitment from the other entity or entities being relied upon
• the ESPD of the other entity or entities being relied upon.

Offices within a temporary partnership do not have to rely on the capacity of another office within the temporary partnership.

Exclusion, selection and award criteria

Please consult the selection guide. It includes:

• the grounds for exclusion
• the selection criteria (eligibility as well as technical and professional ability)
• the award criteria
• the description of the evidence and documents to be submitted
• the preconditions and contents of the portfolio.