The new procedure for the selection of a design team is supervised by the Flemish Architect. A selection committee selected six design teams from the 54 entries. This concerns the following teams:
• Superstructure Architecture (B) + Christ & Gantenbein (CH)
• DRDH Architects + Jamie Fobert Architects (GB)
• noAarchitecten (B) + EM2N Architekten AG (CH) + Sergison Bates Architects (GB)
• OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen (B) + SO–IL Office (USA)
• Robbrecht en Daem architects + Dierendonckblancke architects + Laura Muyldermans (B)
• Studio Nauta Bedaux VOF (NL) + Feilden Fowles Architects Limited (UK)
The hope expressed by the field at the start of the procedure that Belgian agencies would be better represented than in the previous selection procedure has been fulfilled with this choice. The shortlist shows a mix of Flemish and international architects, with one team of exclusively Flemish firms.
The selection, the Flemish government said, took into account the experience of the teams, the vision of what a museum can be in today’s times and their ability to build sustainably. As the next step in the procedure, the six candidates can submit a tender, which the award committee will assess during the year.
Progress
The Flemish Government is expected to announce the beneficiary of the design contract in early 2025. The selection of a contractor and the development of the project will follow in the next government period. The design team, the contractor – selected separately – and the Flemish government will work together within a construction team at an early stage for the implementation of the study assignment.
The new building for the MuHKA, Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp, should be built on the location of the former Court of Appeal on the Waalse Kaai in South Antwerp. This location is a stone’s throw from the current accommodation, a renovated and expanded grain silo on Leuvenstraat.
The Flemish Government, in consultation with the city of Antwerp, has already decided before the previous procedure that the MuHKA must remain in the ‘artistic district’ of the South. This district is also home to the Photo Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp and Atelierflat Jozef Peeters. The new building for MuHKA will be centrally located on the axis of the new Zuidpark.
Failed competition
There has been uncertainty for a number of years about new housing for the MuHKA. Initially there was an Open Call in 2019, for which a large number of agencies, including internationally renowned agencies, registered. Five architectural firms (or teams) were selected for the next round. However, there was no consensus among those involved on ‘the best entry’, with the discussion reportedly focusing on the designs of the 51N4E and Caruso St John versus SANAA combination.
According to the government and the MuHKA, new insights emerged into what the museum should be and what would be needed for its proper functioning. The architectural search was stopped, to be followed by a new attempt in June 2023. The museum has tightened its ambitions and the government has increased the budget due to rising construction costs.
