
Brabo 2 project Noorderlijn
Architects Van Belle & Medina
Antwerp, opposite the Zaha Hadidplein
2019
Brabo 2
The Brabo 2 project includes the new tram connections across the Noorderleien and Noorderlaan. For the design of the traction stations two architectural firms were approached, the building we are viewing today is by architects Van Belle & Medina.
Traction station
The architects were allowed to construct a total of three electricity cabins for the new tram lines in the north of Antwerp. There is one opposite the Havenhuis, another under a bridge next to a bus parking in the Tjalkstraat and the third along the Noorderlaan in the Luchtbal residential area. All three are constructed from a light-colored brick, each with its own shape of recesses.
Van Belle & Medina
The architectural office was founded by Kurt Van Belle and Patricia Medina. The nearby Dry Dock Park is also by them. The Flanders Architecture Book states the following about this project:
The traction substation on the busy crossroads at the foot of the Port House was conceived as a place to take a brief rest and as a lookout post. Staircases have been incorporated into both flanks of the circular building. As a result, this particular architecture does more than just house the technical equipment for the tram line. Like a small mooring post, it offers a subtle and not unironic riposte to the dominant architecture of the Port House.

Brabo 2 Noorderlijn
This article first appeared on my other site about architecture in and around Antwerp: archiplore.

More architecture in Antwerp
The Stock Exchange of Antwerp by architect Schadde
Stocj Exchange Antwerp Joseph Schadde Antwerp, Twaalfmaandenstraat 1872 Stock Exchange Antwerp After years of waiting, the time has finally come: the Antwerp Stock Exchange can be visited freely. This summer there is a pop-up terrace in the covered courtyard and an...
Kiel residential project designed by Renaat Braem
Residential Project Kiel Renaat Braem Antwerp, Emiel Vloorsstraat, Aloïs de Laetstraat, … 1949-1958 Kiel Shortly after the lockdown started, on a sunny afternoon, we decided to take a walk to the ‘Braemblokken (Braem Blocks) or the residential blocks designed by...
Province house competition – the four who did not win
Competition Province House Winner: Xaveer de Geyter Architecten Antwerp, Koningin Elisabethlei 22 2011 Competition Province House They’re currently working on the new Province House, more about this in the blog post about the construction of the Province House. The...