GPG - Ura

About

URA is located in Brussels and is characterized by a broad spectrum of projects, varied both in scale and function. 'UR'-the name of the first city- supports a way of working. URA searches for universal, basic typologies and transforms them into a contemporary and precise identity in a specific context. The universal lies within the very specific. URA is led by two partners, Yves Malysse and Kiki Verbeeck.

YVES MALYSSE (°1973) [email protected]

graduated from the Sint-Lucas Institute of Architecture in Ghent. He has worked with MVRDV in Rotterdam and Jo Crepain in Antwerp, and with stage designer Bart Clement. He was a visiting professor at TU Delft and at the Academy for Architecture in Rotterdam. Since 2012 he has been a professor at LUCA School of Arts, Faculty of Architecture, in Brussels and Ghent..

KIKI VERBEECK (°1974) [email protected]

Graduated from the Sint-Lucas Institute of Architecture in Ghent and specialized in Architectural Theory at KU Leuven. She has worked in Paris with uapS and Labfac, in Rotterdam with OMA, and in Brussels for Baines and Advisers. She was guest professor at LUCA School of Arts, Faculty of Architecture Ghent and at KU Leuven, Department of Architecture.

COLLABORATORS

Benny Geerinckx (°1975) [email protected]
Michiel van der Loos (°1986) [email protected]
Carmen Vandermolen (°1992) [email protected]
Tuomas Peippo (°1995) [email protected]
Louis Lories (°1995) [email protected]
François Vande Perre (°1994) [email protected]
Paul Tschritter (°1996) [email protected]
Warre Delaplace (°2000) [email protected]
Sem De Boer (°1999 ) [email protected]
Tim De Munck (°1996 ) [email protected]
Maurits Bosman Bahamón (°1995 ) [email protected]
Eva Vossaert (°1996 ) [email protected]

FORMER COLLABORATORS

Vincent Vergote / Eva Vermeulen / Soetkin Devolder / Bram Van Sever / Ruben Otter / Jonathan Vanhove / Lisa De Keuleneire / Egon Pollers / Milène Senden / Pauline Truyens / Heleen Eskens / Mathieu Jeukens / Sindri Sigurðsson / Jasper Aerts / Eva Lo / Ruth Van de steene / Ana Horvat / Tim Belaen / Maarten Lambrechts / Charlotte Biesbrouck / Felice Van Tieghem / Marius Vaneeckhoutte / Pauline Durand / Florence Mareen / Lisa Van Com / Jonathan Robert Maj / Isaura Doumen / Jeroen Kessels / Diane Engels / Anton Parys / Harold Vermeiren / Wim Dirickx / Alexander Smedts / Adeline de Vrij / Kaat Volckaert / Pieter Burssens / Tom Broes / Garin Boghossian / Jan de Moffarts / Elena Dragu / Dora Freier / Sila Giriftinoglu / Carlota Marchena Lopez / Frederic Karam / Laura Navarro / Pablo Olmeda Puertas / Angel Pérez Rojas / Olivier Roegiest / Sara Rondou / Giulia Scirocchi / Lorenzo Stroobant / Toon Vanobbergen / Gaspard Van Parys / Francis Vanden Baviere / Mira de Middeleer / Sofie Lieben / Sofie Liesenborghs / Andrea Neri / Alessandro Luraschi

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GPG
A Tower for Animals and Humans
ANB and City of Ghent
Wonderwoud Ghent (B), 2020–2025

A contrasting concrete volume set against nature, serving as a landmark within the Wonderwoud site in Ghent. Architectural volumes originate from human utility needs. Yet today, integrating functions that do not solely serve humans is increasingly essential in light of our current societal context. Equal attention must be given to the true inhabitants of this domain. Openings in the platform walls allow sand martins to build their nests. Larger, darker areas—such as beneath the stairs—are fitted with slats to accommodate bats. At the base of the tower, small cavities provide shelter for small mammals. Higher up, variously sized openings are created to accommodate cavity- and semi-cavity-nesting birds, offering space within the walls or beneath enclosed benches. Finally, large cavities at the top of the tower offer a home for barn owls or kestrels. In this nature park, humans are visitors. They are offered a bold lookout tower, strategically located atop one of the highest hills in the central part of the northwestern zone. This point becomes a key landmark for hikers. Via a tunnel staircase or a winding, ascending path, visitors reach the first platform—a belvedere—before continuing upward via a spiral staircase. Each level unfolds a new perspective of the landscape, culminating in a 360° view over Ghent, its port, and its towers. The raw material—exposed aggregate concrete—is ideal for supporting insects and mosses. Tower, platform, and stairs are all constructed in concrete. At every scale, provisions are made for both Animal and Human.

In collaboration with Denkbar, Sweco