In 2017, Willem Coenen founded Atelier Scheldeman in Antwerp. Coenen consistently seeks out different co-designers and construction partners to realise a project together. And you can take that quite literally: design and execution merge into a collaborative process on the building site. “I believe it is important that my projects – often life-size, functional sculptures in public spaces – are not realised using traditional, conventional construction methods.” There is only one constant: the end result must always be achieved in the most sustainable way possible.

In 2017, Atelier Scheldeman, in collaboration with Studio Onkruid, created a temporary neighbourhood park near Moorkensplein at the request of Antwerp City Council. This was intended to address the lack of green space in the densely built-up fabric of Borgerhout. At the start of the project, the designers organised an introductory session on site for local residents, who were then able to adapt the design to their needs and wishes. Using simple wooden structures, the architects created two outdoor spaces, each offering a different degree of openness or seclusion.