Redevelopment of 't Zand / Heraanleg van 't Zand en Vrijdagmarkt

The streets and public squares of the centre of Bruges retain a remarkable harmony with their buildings. However, the square 't Zand', situated on the border of the inner city, is an exception to this rule and presents itself as a large empty place with no real relation to the surrounding buildings. Only the concert hall at the southern edge of the space is somewhat related to the scale of the square. The square is intensely used by a variety of large scale activities that creates a lively, functional and essential part of the city. In order to keep this functional quality to its maximum, one should provide the space with a focus point, a 'place-mark', instead of strengthening the spatial definition of its borders.
This place-mark creates a counter point to the spatial emptiness of the square and locates a meeting point for when the square is used.

At the north side of the square we propose a circular, translucent canopy, the same width as the square. This object; a round bowl with a circular oculus in the middle, functions as both a sheltering roof and as a waterfall. The reflection of the water, the play of light and shadow, defines an ever changing atmosphere and experience.
The object itself is as immaterial as possible; a translucent fabric suspended below a series of concentric rings which catch the rainwater into a cascade that flows softly towards the central waterfall opening. At the level of the square further fountains are foreseen, their change in flow and ebb providing a constant varying play of water.
The new fountain canopy becomes a point of attraction which allows the inhabitation of the empty vastness of the square and creates opportunities for different activities and appropriations.