The intervention of Robbrecht en Daem in Leopold De Waelplaats achieves a subtle transition between the intense traffic and the museum, a wooded public space in the form of a platform slightly elevated for sitting and walking. The work solves the problem generated by a previous large park located in front of the museum, which acted as a barrier between one side and the other of the road.

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The rough stone tiles arranged along the paving contribute to the perception as a unified space of this paved platform where several sculptures are raised, including fragments of a monument designed by Auguste Rodin. To sit, wooden blocks and an almost circular bench created by the designer Ann Demeulemeester have been installed.

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As in other projects of the studio, a prominent position is granted to contemporary art, which becomes an integral part of the idea of the project. In this case we have the participation of the Spanish artist Cristina Iglesias, who has designed a fountain as a generator of reflections with water that rises in powerful jets. The surface under the water is constructed with green concrete tiles with the relief of a eucalyptus leaf.

Unlike classical fountains, this work "demands the attention" of those who pass by as they have to take into account the cycles of operation over time. Every hour the water of a deeper waterway overflows, and that image has frankly erotic connotations. When that happens, the imposing "masculine" columns of the Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten façade are reflected in the water; When the water returns to flow, the reflection disappears with it. In contrast to that masculinity, with the need to overflow, Cristina Church designed a "feminine source", a horizontal emotion of calm and stillness.

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+ Links

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Architects web page: http://www.robbrechtendaem.com/projects/urban-space/leopold-de-wael-square

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Book: “Robbrecht en Daem”; Robbrecht en Daem architecten; 2G, 55; Gustavo Gili, 2010 (Barcelona publication)

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“El País” article about Cristina Iglesias’ art piece: https://elpais.com/diario/2006/09/21/cultura/1158789612_850215.html

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