Exploration Trail Belgium, Former Belgian Coal Mine Tunnels, Genk building architect

Exploration Trail in Former Coal Mine Tunnels

Limburg Architecture design by Architectenbureau L-Groep CVBA, NU architectuuratelier

3 Sep 2013

Design: Architectenbureau L-Groep CVBA, NU architectuuratelier

Location: Genk, Limburg, Belgium

Exploration Trail in Former Coal Mine Tunnels, Genk

Belevingsparcours in de ondergrondse tunnels van de oude mijnsite

Exploration Trail Genk: Coal Mine Tunnels Belgium
photograph: Stijn Bollaert

Exploration Trail in Former Belgian Coal Mine Tunnels

The Exploration Trail, is the winning project for the design of an underground expedition within the reconversion of the old mine- complex. It is a low tech experience tour under and above the ground, made by linking some existing subterranean mine-industry constructions with new structures and tunnels.

The old ventilation shaft of the mine is the starting point. In this shaft some new, cultural elements are implemented and organised in order to create new relations with the public square above the ground and to introduce the aspect of creativity into these rough, harsh and functional spaces.

Exploration Trail Genk Limburg Belgium
photograph : Stijn Bollaert

In this way visitors are guided along a range of different disorienting spaces, passing instrument-like installations such as 5 hanging cones holding with audio-visual expressing 5 stories on the social context of the mines, a sound-machine, a panorama, showing the fascinating development of the landscape. The final episode of the trail is the climbing of the highest shaft- tower of Belgium.

Exploration Trail Genk Limburg design
photo : Stijn Bollaert

This climb is made by three different types of staircases: the first one is a monumental double helix, as an extension of the underground concrete structure: heavy and stacked. Secondly the hanging stairs, giving back the function and soul of the tripod- tower and finally, on top the cantilevered staircase, a adventurous turn in the sky to reach the top.

The old and new do not clash because they use the same language of the metal architecture that expresses, beyond its use, the logic of construction. Although emptied of its history and repurposed, the site’s essence has been captured and the project arouses feelings in the user, shared by miners and visitors alike. The idea of creating a new function for this historical site is the most important aspect of our sustainable vision on the project.

Exploration Trail Exploration Trail in Former Coal Mine Tunnels Exploration Trail in Coal Mine Tunnels Belgium
photographs : Stijn Bollaert

Exploration Trail in Former Belgian Coal Mine Tunnels – Building Information

Title: Exploration Trail
Architects:
ARCHITECTENBUREAU L-GROEP CVBA / Philippe Micheels http://www.l-groep.be/
NU ARCHITECTUURATELIER / Armand Eeckels, Halewijn Lievens www.nu-web.be
Surface: 2,350 sqm

Exploration Trail in Former Coal Mine Tunnels Belgium images / information from FD

Location: Genk, Belgium, western Europe

Tunnels

Tunnel Architecture

Wenming East Tunnel Entrances, Jiangdong New District, Haikou, Hainan Province, China
Design: Sun Dayong & Wan Shuyan (Co-founders, Penda China)
Wenming East Tunnel Entrances Haikou
photo : Xia Zhi
Wenming East Tunnel Entrances Haikou

Concrete waterproofing techniques for tunnels

Architecture in Belgium

Brussels Architecture Tours

Belgian Architectural Designs – chronological list

Belgian Architecture

Mine Conversion Building, Oignies, north east France
Mine Conversion Building
photo : Hérault Arnod Architectes
The first completed part of the 9/9bis mine conversion project

Belgian Architect

Belgian Buildings

Crematorium Uitzicht, western Belgium
Design: SumProject + Souto Moura Arquitectos
Crematorium Uitzicht Belgium
photo : Luis Ferreira

Villa Roces, Bruges, northern Belgium
Design: Architectuurburo Govaert & Vanhoutte bvba
House Bruges
photo : Tim Van de Velde

Buda Art Centre, Kortrijk, western Belgium
Design: 51N4E

The BrOnks Youth Theater Brussels
Design: MDMA l Martine De Maeseneer Architects

Coalmine Building

Belgian Houses

Comments / photos for the Exploration Trail in Former Coal Mine Tunnels in BelgiumGenk Building design by Architectenbureau L-Groep CVBA, NU architectuuratelier page welcome

Architectural Tours – city walks