Address: Leuven
Client: Dijledal
Intervention: New Build
Status: Competition 2024

Architecture: A2D architects and EFFEKT
Landscape: D+A 
Structural engineer: SWECO
Technical engineer: SWECO
3D visualisation: EFFEKT

Our competition proposal built on the existing masterplan developed by BRUT Architecture and Urban Design, LAMA Landscape Architects, DUSS and MINT. We fully endorsed the ambitions, key principles and guiding principles established in the masterplan and reinforced them through the combined expertise and fresh external perspective of our team: A2D architects with the Danish design firm EFFEKT, D+A as landscape and infrastructure consultants, and Sweco for structural engineering, technical systems and sustainability. We took the core vision of a climate-neutral neighbourhood embedded within a woodland as the foundation for our proposal. We further refined and developed this vision in response to the evolution of the programme of requirements, both functionally—with the addition of definitive and conditional functions and stakeholders—and in terms of the further development of the sustainability ambitions.

Our proposal strengthened the experience of nature and social cohesion through a design that enhanced the natural environment and fostered strong community structures. For our team, achieving climate neutrality was a central priority. This vision statement set out how we could work towards this objective in close collaboration with the client. By proposing concrete methods and insights for a climate-neutral approach, we provided a realistic foundation for implementation while recognising that achieving this ambition depended on external factors and close collaboration between all stakeholders. We also proposed alternative solutions that allowed the degree of climate neutrality and level of sustainability to be considered alongside financial and technical feasibility. We therefore saw this vision statement as the starting point for a constructive dialogue between the design team, the client and the relevant authorities.

Our answer to the question of whether this neighbourhood could be climate-neutral was a resounding 'yes'. The next step was to explore the practical and financial feasibility of this ambition together with the client and the relevant authorities. This vision statement demonstrated how, together, we could realise a climate-neutral neighbourhood within a woodland, while clearly outlining the alternatives and choices available along the way.