Merkem is a village in West Flanders, counting 2,300 inhabitants. After having been completely destroyed in the First World War it was reconstructed in the 1920´s in a typical local building style, being a characteristic example of post-war reconstruction architecture. The village is situated along two main roads joining in a T-junction.

The assignment consisted of two parts: The renovation of the village centre and the construction of a community centre. The redesign of the public space included three squares, whose simple but high quality design corresponds with the sober character of the village. The community centre is located on the ‘Stationsplein’, a square measuring 150 x 40 metres flanked by two-story brick buildings with (pitched) roof. The main entrance addresses to a small plaza, at the backside there is a parking area. The building is visually defined by a single-story continuous colonnade, which joins the rhythm of the surrounding houses and encloses the main hall. The Merkem community centre is an open platform for a wide range of activities.