Grote Markt

Turnhout’s Grote Markt transforms into one friendly public space, subdivided into three parts: an open square with fountains, an intimate city garden around the church, and lively functional edge with terraces and transportation.
The key is to turn the square into a place to stay as well as to connect the city. A place where daily life happens, and special events occur. The formerly closed churchyard now offers a lush oasis. Along the edge there is custom-designed roof, combing a pergola and bus stop shelter into one.

The project is awarded with the Belgian Public Space Prize 2011, the jury praising the renewed square as “the largest terrace of the Kempen region” because of its car-free, pedestrian-friendly lay-out.