PRIMARY STRUCTURE – Remodel WTC Brussels, 2018

A. B. Walker, 1909 Theorem: The Skyscraper as Utopian Device, 1909. Reproduced in Rem Koolhaas, Delirious New York (1978).

After the Real Estate summer school, we delve deeper into the WTC towers and set up camp
once again in the vacant towers, awaiting a new purpose. Delirious Brussels!
This time, we tackle the entire tower. We read Koolhaas’ retroactive manifesto in the studio. The
idea of the culture of congestion stands in stark contrast to the condition found in the Noordwijk.
Monofunctional office volumes with identical floor plans and a lifeless plinth stripped of any public
function. No oysters, no boxing gloves.
The structural analysis continues and is compared with other repurposed high-rise projects. This
shows that repurposing is no easy task. Even the concrete composition and consistency vary in
height, requiring different stability measures. Additional reinforcement and piled foundations are
common to save such a monolith.
And yet, it must be possible. A 30-year time limit is absurd for a skyscraper, but, as the surroun-
ding area shows, unfortunately not exceptional. We try to immerse ourselves in the reality of tackling such a project. The scale of the WTC towers quickly proves overwhelming. Developing a total project is unfeasible and perhaps even undesirable. Instead of one investor, it should be possible to approach the project with a consortium. One voice becomes many. We decide to use the same strategy as in Porto and surgically divide the whole into pieces. The Koolhaasian stratification per floor is extended by choosing a spatial fragment that connects the tower and the plinth. As if it were a vertical suburban neighborhood, each fragment receives its own treatment. The Manhattan Skyscraper as a utopian formula for the unlimited creation of virgin sites on a single urban location.
The Flemish dream.

Research

fig 428A, finaal model

fig 428B, finaal model

fig 428C, finaal model

fig 427A, WTC remodel – detail of roof of rooftop extension

fig 427B, WTC remodel – detail of roof of rooftop extension

fig 427C, WTC remodel – detail of roof of rooftop extension

fig 427D, WTC remodel – detail of roof of rooftop extension

fig 427E, WTC remodel – detail of roof of rooftop extension

fig 427F, WTC remodel – detail of roof of rooftop extension

fig 426A, WTC remodel – section and facades

fig 426B, WTC remodel – section and facades

fig 426C, WTC remodel – section and facades

fig 426D, WTC remodel – section and facades

fig 426E, WTC remodel – section and facades

fig 425A, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425B, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425C, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425D, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425E, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425F, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425G, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425H, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425I, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425J, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425K, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425L, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425M, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425N, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425O, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425P, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425Q, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425R, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425S, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425T, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425U, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425V, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425W, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425X, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425Y, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425Z, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 425, WTC remodel – a tower can have a lot of different plans

fig 424A, FINAL Model WTC

fig 424B, FINAL Model WTC

fig 424C, FINAL Model WTC

fig 423A, first test extra facade

fig 422A, northern quarter voyeurism, An MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator sit on display in brand new Hangar three at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.

fig 422B, northern quarter voyeurism

fig 421A, Early plan social triplex

fig 420A, Distinction in program

fig 420B, Distinction in program

fig 419A, pt.2

fig 419B, pt.2

fig 419C, pt.2

fig 418A, reference

fig 418B, reference

fig 418C, reference, construction

fig 417A, waffle slab

fig 417B, waffle slab

fig 416A, snede

fig 415A, sfeer

fig 414A, proces

fig 414B, proces

fig 413A, werkmaquette

fig 413B, werkmaquette

fig 412A, omgeving analyse

fig 412B, omgeving analyse

fig 412C, omgeving analyse

fig 412D, omgeving analyse

fig 412E, omgeving analyse

fig 411A, Final design detail

fig 411B, Final design detail

fig 410A, analyse plint

fig 410B, analyse plint

fig 410C, analyse plint

fig 410D, analyse plint

fig 409A, Torre Velasca

fig 409B, Torre Velasca

fig 408A, axo details

fig 408B, axo details

fig 407A, Detail

fig 406A, Sfeer

fig 406B, Sfeer

fig 406C, Sfeer

fig 405A, open apartment

fig 404A, Facade

fig 403A, SECTION_BREWERY_AA’

fig 402A, DETAIL_SILO

fig 401A, Cathedrale Communale 1/200

fig 401B, Cathedrale Communale 1/200

fig 401C, Cathedrale Communale 1/200

fig 401D, Cathedrale Communale 1/200

fig 401E, Cathedrale Communale 1/200

fig 401F, Cathedrale Communale 1/200

fig 401G, Cathedrale Communale 1/200

fig 401H, Cathedrale Communale 1/200

fig 401I, Cathedrale Communale 1/200

fig 400A, Drawing of buildup wintergarden

fig 399A, CATHEDRALE COMMUNALE_DETAIL

fig 399B, CATHEDRALE COMMUNALE_DETAIL

fig 398A, Connection to the floor

fig 397A, New vs old structure, steel vs concrete

fig 396A, Brewery visit

fig 396B, Brewery visit

fig 395A, Isometrie gevel

fig 394A, Final plans

fig 393A, Small 1/200 scale model

fig 392A, Final scale model

fig 391A, Cathedrale Communale

fig 391B, Cathedrale Communale

fig 391C, Cathedrale Communale

fig 391D, Cathedrale Communale

fig 391E, Cathedrale Communale

fig 391F, Cathedrale Communale

fig 391G, Cathedrale Communale

fig 390A, Cathedrale Communale

fig 390B, Cathedrale Communale

fig 390C, Cathedrale Communale

fig 390D, Cathedrale Communale

fig 390E, Cathedrale Communale

fig 390F, Cathedrale Communale

fig 390G, Cathedrale Communale

fig 390H, Cathedrale Communale

fig 390I, Cathedrale Communale

fig 389A, Cathedrale Communale

fig 389B, Cathedrale Communale

fig 389C, Cathedrale Communale

fig 389D, Cathedrale Communale

fig 389E, Cathedrale Communale

fig 389F, Cathedrale Communale

fig 389G, Cathedrale Communale

fig 389H, Cathedrale Communale

fig 389I, Cathedrale Communale

fig 389J, Cathedrale Communale

fig 389K, Cathedrale Communale

fig 389L, Cathedrale Communale

fig 389M, Cathedrale Communale

fig 389N, Cathedrale Communale

fig 389O, Cathedrale Communale

fig 388A, Is It a Niemeyer?

fig 388B, Is It a Niemeyer?

fig 387A, CATHEDRALE COMMUNALE_PERSPECTIVE

fig 386A, CATHEDRALE COMMUNALE_DETAILS

fig 385A, CATHEDRALE COMMUNALE_ISOMETRIC

fig 384A, CATHEDRALE COMMUNALE_PROGRAM

fig 384B, CATHEDRALE COMMUNALE_PROGRAM

fig 383A, CATHEDRALE COMMUNALE

fig 382A, CATHEDRALE COMMUNALE_SECTIONS

fig 382B, CATHEDRALE COMMUNALE_SECTIONS

fig 381A, CATHEDRALE COMMUNALE_PLANS

fig 380A, WTC EXISTING STRUCTURE

fig 379A, ANALYSIS WTC

fig 379B, ANALYSIS WTC

fig 378A, The masters refer

fig 377A, Model structure

fig 376A, Wooden stairs in steel structure

fig 375A, Wooden box in steel structure

fig 374A, STRUCTUREMODEL_SERVICEFLATS_1

fig 374B, STRUCTUREMODEL_SERVICEFLATS_1

fig 373A, WERKMAQUETTE_4.1

fig 372A, Cathedrale Communale

fig 371A, cathédrale communale work documents

fig 371B, cathédrale communale work documents

fig 370A, Research roof structure diving tank

fig 370B, Research roof structure diving tank

fig 369A, Glass corner “box” vertical garden

fig 368A, Section analysis of fermentation tank

fig 367A, Structural model WTC brewery

fig 367B, Structural model WTC brewery

fig 366A, Structural model WTC brewery

fig 366B, Structural model WTC brewery

fig 365A, Opwervendag Nemo link

fig 365B, Opwervendag Nemo link

fig 365C, Opwervendag Nemo link

fig 365D, Opwervendag Nemo link

fig 365E, Opwervendag Nemo link

fig 364A, Bochten testen

fig 364B, Bochten testen

fig 364C, Bochten testen

fig 363A, Axo volumes

fig 363B, Axo volumes

fig 362A, cathédrale communale work documents

fig 362B, cathédrale communale work documents

fig 361A, WTC 1 – model of mosque

fig 361B, WTC 1 – model of mosque

fig 360A, Bamboo exoskeleton stairs , Vertical garden

fig 360B, Bamboo exoskeleton stairs , Vertical garden

fig 359A, Structure between diving tank and WTC 2tower

fig 358A, Structure underneath diving tank

fig 357A, Detailing sketches

fig 356A, Overlaying Bamboo “hinge”

fig 355A, Diving Tank, WTC

fig 354A, Notre-Dame in BXL?

fig 353A, WERKMAQUETTE_3.3_BUREN

fig 352A, Vertical Garden WTC, “Hanging the stairs” Sketches

fig 351A, LOFTS With gardens in double skin facade

fig 350A, WERKMAQUETTE_PLINT

fig 349A, How To Become A Niemeyer

fig 348A, Scheme structures silo

fig 348B, Scheme structures silo

fig 347A, Scheme connections in steel

fig 346A, Scheme structures silo

fig 346B, Scheme structures silo

fig 345A, Site visite Orsi Academy

fig 345B, Site visite Orsi Academy

fig 345C, Site visite Orsi Academy

fig 345D, Site visite Orsi Academy

fig 345E, Site visite Orsi Academy

fig 345F, Site visite Orsi Academy

fig 345G, Site visite Orsi Academy

fig 345H, Site visite Orsi Academy

fig 345I, Site visite Orsi Academy

fig 345J, Site visite Orsi Academy

fig 345K, Site visite Orsi Academy

fig 345L, Site visite Orsi Academy

fig 344A, La Fábrica – Ricardo Bofill

fig 343A, How to become a Niemeyer

fig 342A, Open structure + circulation

fig 341A, Drawing of concrete silo

fig 340A, Axo concrete factory

fig 339A, Manitoba hydro place

fig 338A, Detail of 1 Bligh Street

fig 337A, Maquette 1/50

fig 336A, Ingang wtc via kern

fig 335A, Werkmaquette

fig 334A, REFERENTIE_3

fig 333A, WERKMAQUETTE_3.1

fig 333B, WERKMAQUETTE_3.1

fig 332A, REFERENTIE_2

fig 331A, WERKMAQUETTE_3.0

fig 330A, REFERENTIE_1

fig 329A, CONCEPTBEELD_1

fig 328A, WERKMAQUETTE_1-2

fig 328B, WERKMAQUETTE_1-2

fig 327A, Werf station parking

fig 327B, Werf station parking, plan ondergrondse parking

fig 327C, Werf station parking, wapening om 4 bogen op aan te sluiten, door een fout is het beton te hoog gegoten waardoor alles terug is uitgekapt. Hierdoor komt de wapening in het beton bloot te liggen.

fig 327D, Werf station parking, beton voor de Kiss&Ride wordt gegoten.

fig 327E, Werf station parking, achteringang met een tijdelijke muur die door de uitsparingen makkelijk weggehaald kan worden.

fig 327F, Werf station parking, peilers uit gewapend beton waar het tunneldak op is gelegd. Hier komen 2 rijstroken.

fig 327G, Werf station parking, doorgang naar ondergrondse parking en naar afrit

fig 326A, WTC – model

fig 326B, WTC – model

fig 325A, WTC model progress week 8

fig 324A, work documents 20180417

fig 324B, work documents 20180417

fig 324C, work documents 20180417

fig 323A, werfbezoek

fig 323B, werfbezoek

fig 323C, werfbezoek

fig 322A, Werfbezoek

fig 322B, Werfbezoek

fig 322C, Werfbezoek

fig 322D, Werfbezoek

fig 322E, Werfbezoek

fig 321A, Fotos werfbezoek

fig 321B, Fotos werfbezoek

fig 321C, Fotos werfbezoek

fig 320A, exploded toren

fig 319A, exploded sokkel

fig 318A, Axonometric WTC

fig 317A, Lina Bo Bardi MASP under construction

fig 316A, Notre Dame

fig 315A, Tetris Within A Tetris

fig 314A, Conceptual thinking

fig 313A, Experience the real stuff

fig 313B, Experience the real stuff

fig 313C, Experience the real stuff

fig 312A, A Cut Into Our Model

fig 312B, A Cut Into Our Model

fig 312C, A Cut Into Our Model

fig 311A, Analysing the parking lot

fig 311B, Analysing the parking lot

fig 311C, Analysing the parking lot

fig 311D, Analysing the parking lot

fig 311E, Analysing the parking lot

fig 310A, Architecture Noordwijk

fig 310B, Architecture Noordwijk

fig 309A, Balkony garden

fig 309B, Balkony garden

fig 309C, Balkony garden

fig 309D, Balkony garden

fig 308A, Vertical Garden

fig 307A, STRUCTURE WTC

fig 307B, STRUCTURE WTC

fig 306A, Site Visit 2

fig 306B, Site Visit 2

fig 306C, Site Visit 2

fig 306D, Site Visit 2

fig 305A, Site Visit 1

fig 305B, Site Visit 1

fig 305C, Site Visit 1

fig 305D, Site Visit 1

fig 305E, Site Visit 1

fig 304A, work documents

fig 303A, atelier

fig 302A, WTC Sketch

fig 301A, WTC Plan/Section Studentdorms

fig 300A, Basiliek van Koekelberg

fig 300B, Basiliek van Koekelberg

fig 299A, WTC – plan section

fig 298A, WTC axo concepts

fig 297A, WTC situation plan

fig 296A, WTC sections

fig 295A, Civic Center – SOM

fig 294A, Structure Niv +27 WTC

fig 293A, Core WTC

fig 292A, WTC NIV + 27

fig 291A, WTC I: Axo op 2 verdiepen

fig 290A, Reference: Standard Bank Centre – Hentrich, Petschnigg & Partners ( 1970)

fig 289A, Louis Sullivan – The tall office building artistically considered

fig 288A, Voorstel programma toren

fig 287A, WTC 1 axo tetris

fig 286A, sketch on existing plan

fig 285A, sketch on existing plan

fig 284A, werfbezoek – kraan in liftschacht

fig 283A, werfbezoek – logisitek verdeelverdiep

fig 283B, werfbezoek – logisitek verdeelverdiep

fig 282A, werfbezoek – zettingsvoegen

fig 281A, werfbezoek – fout wapeningsstaal

fig 280A, werfbezoek – ultiem grid 740 x 740

fig 280B, werfbezoek – ultiem grid 740 x 740

fig 279A, werfbezoek – breedplaatwanden

fig 279B, werfbezoek – breedplaatwanden

fig 278A, werfbezoek, SAMSUNG CSC

fig 277A, Steel connections WTC +24

fig 277B, Steel connections WTC +24

fig 277C, Steel connections WTC +24

fig 277D, Steel connections WTC +24

fig 277E, Steel connections WTC +24

fig 277F, Steel connections WTC +24

fig 277G, Steel connections WTC +24

fig 277H, Steel connections WTC +24

fig 276A, Structure WTC 1 +3 & +24

fig 276B, Structure WTC 1 +3 & +24

fig 276C, Structure WTC 1 +3 & +24

fig 276D, Structure WTC 1 +3 & +24

fig 276E, Structure WTC 1 +3 & +24

fig 276F, Structure WTC 1 +3 & +24

fig 276G, Structure WTC 1 +3 & +24

fig 276H, Structure WTC 1 +3 & +24

fig 276I, Structure WTC 1 +3 & +24

fig 276J, Structure WTC 1 +3 & +24

fig 276K, Structure WTC 1 +3 & +24

fig 275A, Ceiling Infrastructure plan

fig 274A, Welkom in de Noord-wijk

fig 274B, Welkom in de Noord-wijk

fig 274C, Welkom in de Noord-wijk

fig 274D, Welkom in de Noord-wijk

fig 273A, References Prestige Towers

fig 272A, Zuidertoren

fig 272B, Zuidertoren

fig 272C, Zuidertoren

fig 271A, Citygroup Center

fig 271B, Citygroup Center

fig 271C, Citygroup Center

fig 270A, Willis Tower

fig 270B, Willis Tower

fig 269A, Shanghai Tower

fig 268A, Knights of Columbus

fig 268B, Knights of Columbus

fig 268C, Knights of Columbus

fig 267A, OCBC Bank

fig 266A, WTC Massive Model

fig 265A, John Hancock Center

fig 265B, John Hancock Center

fig 265C, John Hancock Center

fig 265D, John Hancock Center

fig 265E, John Hancock Center

fig 264A, Manhattan project

fig 264B, Manhattan project

fig 264C, Manhattan project

fig 263A, structureel schema plint

fig 262A, Opbouw maquette S1:50 WTC

fig 19A, SUPPORTING FACADE STRUCTURE, steel supporting structure

fig 20A, stabilizing structural systems, different ways to stabilize structure