Kaai City
Kaai City is a cornerstone of the urban area on the right bank of the Leie in Kortrijk. This project, a collaboration between HOWEST and the city of Kortrijk, with CAAAP as the developer, aims to create a vibrant and multifunctional urban hotspot. The design combines spaces for studying, working, living, relaxing, eating, and drinking, contributing to a dynamic riverside experience.
The building consists of a solid base with sculpted volumes above, rising towards the Leie and lowering towards the neighboring buildings.
Kaai City integrates harmoniously into the existing urban context, paying attention to scale, rhythm and materiality of surrounding buildings, while adding a modern signature to the cityscape.
The design connects public, private and semi-private spaces, with open passageways, stairwells and collective roof gardens facilitating the transition between these zones. A bridge connects the college to the building block, smoothly integrating the flow of students.
The building is conceived as more than an architectural statement it is a social catalyst within the urban context. The raised plinth, supported by structural columns, creates a sheltered gallery that invites meeting and interaction. This not only enhances liveability at street level but also forms a logical transition between the public realm and the more private functions of the building block. The design balances openness and security, with transparent facades for connection and closed inner facades for privacy.
The cross-shaped ground plan provides clear zoning of public and private functions. The strategic placement of lifts and space for cargo bikes promotes accessibility and flexibility. Open and semi-private zones encourage encounters and contribute to the visual clarity of the project.
A key feature of Kaai City is its flexibility of use. High storey floors and wide spans ensure that functions within the building can easily evolve. This allows users to grow with their changing life circumstances, e.g. from student to professional. With facilities such as student residences, workplaces and flats ranging from affordable one-bedroom units to luxurious three-bedroom residences, Kaai City offers a solution for diverse target groups and life stages.
In this project, special attention was paid to the materialisation. The serration of the façade continues across the entire building block, but is given its own interpretation for each function. The school (Howest), which occupies a significant part of the complex, also follows this principle.
To give the school a visual unity, a woven claustra wall in glazed brick was folded over the serration. This concept refers to the extreme magnification of the water surface of the Leie, which translates into a pixelated pattern and at the same time evokes an association with the digital image — a subtle reference to the courses offered there. Through the claustra wall, a layering of functions becomes visible, without imposing itself emphatically.
The bricks of the claustra wall in are woven onto stainless steel rods for maximum strength and stability. This construction was tested first in a setup in the Buildwise lab.
