A(fire)fordances, 2026.01, Vilvoorde

Our proposal is called ‘Affordances / A fire for dances’, a double meaning with the same letters. And these references you see at the bottom of the photo of the model we made, helped us to shape our design, especially the abstract charcoal drawings from the artist Chillida were a great inspiration for us. Our design is speaking the same elementary language: a cloud, stone, water, fire. We play with form, and created a public space on the platform. It’s an organic shape, responding to the organic nature of fire. And this black color speaks at the same time to the effects of fire, burning wood, and to the brand identity of Fritz Kola: a dark refreshing liquid. We created a variety of affordances, diverse uses, in relation to the existing and introduced conditions. The fireplace is located at a point where multiple pedestrian flows intersect. For this reason, we believe that a platform – which defines the space, supports a variety of uses, and accommodates many people in different ways – is highly valuable. The platform has a natural off set from the borders of the paths. Reacts to the rectangular buildings and the diagonal path. There is a missing corner slowly drifting away, that settled on the other side of the road. As the platform is spacious and organic, it creates multiple forms and scales of gathering and meeting, closer or away from the fire, adjusting to anyone’s needs and rhythm, night and day. It consists of spots that allow for closeness, and intimacy. In some spots one can seclude one’s selves a bit, observe, other spots spark encounters, ignite conversations.