The main platform is positioned in a way as to not interfere with
the tourist boat’s path, nearby trees and protected indigenous
plants grown on the vertical quay walls, which are a testimony
that Bruges used to be an international port. Within these
conditions we introduce a bridge and ramp that allows people
with disabilities to access the water level from the street.
The platform is designed to be reassembled for every future
summer. We chose a galvanized steel structure that can be
quickly assembled and disassembled. The structure is placed on
rented pontoons typically used by military.
60% of the platform is covered by a pergola made by Z-shaped
louvers taking into consideration the behavior of sun, shadow,
wind and rain. The louvers allow the wind to pass through,
reducing the wind loads. Rainwater is collected by the lower lip
of the Z-louvers and drained directly into the canal. The floor
is made of recycled wood planks typically used for scaffolding.
A steel wire net safely encloses the sides of the ramps, stair
and bridge by keeping a visual connection from the street.
We introduce a flag system used for beaches to visually mark
the current swimming condition and possibly give a public
feedback on the water quality.
Canal Swimmer’s Club is the temporary appropriation of public
space in the city. It’s a new type of architecture made from the
relationship between different behaviors, which already existed
in the city. Swimming skill of people and currency of water were
translated into resources to create alternative public space in
this project. It shows a critical position against institutionalized
space as a materialization of preceding concept of facility which
has played an important role in the bio politics that governed
daily life throughout the 20th century.
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