Middelkerke Town Hall
Competition project for a newly-built town hall of 5500m²
Status
Procedure
Client
Location
Dates
Surface
Collaborators
Collaborations
masterplan design
Landinzicht Landschapsarchitecten
outdoor space design
AIKO architecten en ingenieurs
structural engineering
Sweco Belgium
MEP and acoustical engineering
Ingenieursbureau France
outdoor space engineering
Atelier Jéol
lighting design and engineering
CIT RED
project development
CIT Blaton
general contracting
Alfa TI
MEP contracting
In 2021, META, as part of Team Gemeente(t)huis, was selected for the design–build–and–maintenance procedure for the new Middelkerke Town Hall.
The integrated proposal combines a strong urban design vision with architectural quality and technical feasibility.
The new town hall is more than an administrative building. Together with its accompanying forecourt, it acts as an urban anchor point and a catalyst for the redevelopment of the former Duinenbad site. The project creates a high-quality public space that fosters encounter, social cohesion, and identity in a municipality where public life is highly fragmented. The building conveys neutrality and professionalism, while remaining warm, accessible, and welcoming to all residents.
The master plan is based on a thorough spatial analysis and is structured around three core principles: legibility, coherence, and accessibility. The site functions as a hinge between sea, dunes, and polder, strengthening soft mobility and north–south connections.
The ground plan adopts a triangular form, thereby referring to the three surrounding outdoor spaces: a forecourt that also serves as a market and event square, a cultural plaza linking CC De Branding to the town hall, and a future residential park (replacing Camping Viking).
Middelkerke Town Hall is a timeless, functional, and flexible building, with a clear separation between public zones organised around the central atrium and office spaces along the perimeter. Strong emphasis is placed on accessibility, clear circulation, adaptability, and a high level of user comfort.
Sustainability is fully integrated through energy-efficient, circular, and low-maintenance solutions. Thanks to multidisciplinary collaboration, the design is realistic, technically feasible, and future-proof, representing a sustainable investment in the spatial and societal future of Middelkerke.