The Buchholtzpark is 3.300m² and is situated in the middle of a building block. The park is accessible via small almost invisible alleys from the Bucholtzstraat, the Bosstraat and the Amerikaansestraat, it’s a neighbourhood park by excellence. However, the park lacks some activity, partly due to competition from larger parks that are nearby: the beautiful park Ten Bosch and also the Bois de la Cambre.

The project is a perfect case for the typical theme of enclosed public spaces within the urban fabric. In these spaces the tranquillity and quality of the back of the private home, as a contrast to life in a metropolitan area, comes under pressure. On the one hand, the actual activity of these kind of parks is seen as an inconvenience rather than an added value by neighbouring residents. On the other hand, small initiatives like shared composting bins and benches do little to help the park.

What new programme can bring this place back to life? Should the park be accessible everywhere or is this a spot where nature can take up some space? What do the residents of the block consider important for ‘their’ backyard? and what do the residents of the neighbourhood long for in this park? Could we collect all the rainwater from the entire building block in the park?

The municipality of Ixelles is taking the initiative to adapt the existing Buchholtz park. It is looking for a multidisciplinary team for the complete design mission. The team must be able to supervise a participatory process as well as absorb the entire process up to and including the refurbishment of the park. The team must be able to demonstrate experience as a designer of public space and be familiar with a participatory working method.

INDICATIVE TIMING 

•   12 November: 4 teams will be invited to submit a bid;
•   27 November : submission of bids (intention notes with sketch);
•  29 November : presentation to the Advisory Committee;
•   December 2019: assignment and start of the mission.

AWARD CRITERIA 

•  Functional and technical quality (25%);
•   Methodological note (25%);
•   Comprehension of the project in its context (20%);
•   Methodology of participatory traject (20%);
•   Budget feasibility (10%)

BUDGET: Fixed at 248,000 euros excluding VAT;
FEES: Fixed at 24,499 euros excluding VAT;
GRANT: € 1,500 awarded to each of the not selected teams that submitted a regular bid and having obtained half of the points.