Espace Victor Jara in Soignies, Belgium

August 19, 2010 Category: Cultural, Public Buildings

Designed by L’ESCAUT, Espace Victor Jara is located in Soignies, Belgium, Rooted within downtown Soignies, Espace Victor Jara becomes the predominant feature of a new culture hub in the Belgian town, joining the Centre for Art and Culture and the Regency Library. The historic town of Soignies provides a serene backdrop to the thriving public space created by the architecture of the building, which acts as a sort of adult climbing frame and arena space to wile away the days on its steps and slopes, and ponder from its many vistas.

The building is named after Chilean playwright, musician and political peace activist Victor Jara, who, upon a military coup in his homeland, was arrested and killed after torture, immortalising him as a cultural icon.

Jara was known to promote the concept of a ‘united population’ and this is translated in Espace as truly public space where ownership is achieved by traversing the building’s many levels – mountain-like with green roofs and a ‘rough stone crust’ – or indeed entering the space itself.

Stepping within the building an airy foyer provides appropriate transition from the outside. Natural light is infused via a floor-to-ceiling semi-transparent wall. Deeper within the structure, its core is a 600 seat performance space, simple in design and acoustically treated. Telescopic seating allows for flexibility where the space can be used for community events as well as performances.

Espace Victor Jara Design by L'ESCAUT