Fasten Your City Belts Haiko Cornelissen Architecten
I start with a quote from the architects. ‘Fasten Your City Belt is an urban strategy that transforms lifeless office districts into lively areas through a combination of strategic interventions and incentives.’ This Europan 11 competition entry by Haiko Cornelissen Architecten of Amsterdam and New York, strives to re-imagine the possibilities of future urbanism through multi-functioning and encouraging density. To live in an ‘only-home’ amongst many other ‘only-homes’, miles or kilometers from the closest shop, is to live isolated where even movement is stagnated: sitting in a car. FYCB first combines functions to create inherent vitality. In this way, a building begins to answer some of its own questions. Where do I get groceries? Downstairs.
© WeMake3D
In conjuncture with program is form. Belts are created around building plots that respond to surrounding context. They may be pushed in or up for pedestrian/ occupant movement and lighting conditions. And perhaps they twist up to allow cars underneath to the parking garages below? Programs within the belts are moved up to, in conjuncture with the parking moved down, create new possibilities for the ground level. These alterations in the scope of infrastructure allow plot sizes to scale up as an incentive to owners to redevelop their plots into welcoming, vibrant private/public neighborhoods.
Architects: Haiko Cornelissen Architecten and Wemake3d
Photographs: Haiko Cornelissen Architecten and Wemake3d
Courtesy of Haiko Cornelissen Architecten and Wemake3d
Ibrahim Abdelhady is an architect, academic, and media entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in architecture and digital publishing. He is the Founder and CEO of Arch2O.com, a leading platform in architectural media, renowned for showcasing innovative projects, student work, and critical discourse in design. Holding dual PhDs in Architecture, Dr. Abdelhady combines academic rigor with industry insight, shaping both future architects and architectural thought. He actively teaches, conducts research, and contributes to the global architecture community through his writing, lectures, and media ventures. His work bridges the gap between practice and academia, pushing the boundaries of how architecture is communicated in the digital age.