Artisans, the edible street

Momentary association

Programme: The assignment consisted in a complete reprofiling of a steeply sloping street located at the bottom of the Maelbeek valley in Ixelles. It is bordered by one of the first social housing estates in Brussels, with a building complex of high heritage value. The A.M. MSA/Ney was responsible for all stages of the project, the participatory aspect, the drainage system, the surface fittings, the street furniture, the planting and the lighting system.

About: The project consists in the construction of mini storm water basins that functions as interconnected landscape reservoirs along the street. These basins are directly fed by rainwater from the street's roofs, in order to relieve the valley floor drainage system. These interconnected ponds not only allow rainwater to be infiltrated in situ through a natural filter system but also to supply water to mini public gardens. The houses on the street are mono oriented and do not have gardens. The upper surface of the ponds was therefore covered with a large layer of planted filtering soil, offering the whole street to the inhabitants by transforming it into a large collective edible garden. Fruit trees such as cherry, red currant, raspberry and a large number of aromatic plants were planted. Special attention was also paid to mobility. Indeed, the layout of the different elements allows the passage of vehicles but prevents parking, transforming the street into a large and peaceful shared space. Great care has also been taken to design solid and durable street furniture as well as a floor layout that plays with the materials and patterns of the existing facades.