Hostel Pulcinella

Vincent Van Duysen Architects

Antwerp, Bogaardeplein 1

2007 – 2011

Meeting spot

For years, a piece of land in the middle of the city, used by the neighborhood as a meeting place. The land was donated to Tourism Flanders (the client) for the construction of a new youth hostel. By not using the entire building block, there was also room for a new square. Pulcinella was a figure from the commedia dell’arte, in this neighborhood they adapted the figures to the ‘poesjenellen’.

In 2011 the new youth hostel was build by a design of Vincent Van Duysen Architects and:

2 meeting rooms for 20 persons

162 beds

21 rooms for 1-2 persons

20 rooms for 3-4 persons

6 rooms for 5-6 persons

Surroundings

The facade consists of gray natural stone, a reference to the old details in blue stone from the area. The pattern of the windows also refers to the surrounding buildings. Only a few large windows interrupt this rhythm. Common areas are located behind these big windows. The façade and decoration look spartan, a wink to old school buildings.

White, black and grey

Vincent Van Duysen has a preference for white, black and grays and for pure materials. The public functions, such as the reception room and the dining room, are located on the ground floor and the basement; these have black walls. The basement receives daylight through a large patio. The sleeping rooms are on the three floors above, these have white walls.