a+u

Formerly it was said in Belgium that good architecture was built mainly in suburbs. Now, due to rapid urbanization, the focus is moving towards city centres. While retaining traditional elements, current architecture employs new materials and new construction methods to create distinctive buildings. In the Netherlands, the global recession has brought an end to the erstwhile surge in development projects. But new currents are emerging, as innovative ideas and an uncompromising pursuit of quality are applied to extensions and renovations. Includes projects by Xaveer de Geyter, Stéphane Beel, Wim Goes Architectuur, Office Kersten Geers David van Severen, Robbrecht en Daem Architecten, MVRDV, Karres en Brands, Zecc Architecten, René van Zuuk, Atelier Kempe Thill, OTH, Tangram. Essays by Koen van Synghel and Egbert Koster.