Studio: B(S)XL
The City as a Resource
Studio 24/25 Semester 1
Academie van bouwkunst Rotterdam
Site
Schaarbeek-Vorming, Brussels
Co-Tutors
Philippe Allignet, Giacomo Gallo
Tslil Strauss, Jacopo Grilli
Focus
Urban Metabolism, Degrowth, Material Flow Analysis
Challenging Growth-Driven Urbanism
Can we look at the city as a resource: the social, spatial, material, and intellectual breeding ground for a just and sustainable future?
Cities are the epicenters where the interlocked challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and social justice accumulate. However, they are also the perfect testing grounds for new solutions. In this studio, we challenge the standard, growth-driven practices of contemporary urban design and architecture. Instead, we explore alternative development models aligned with the principles of urban degrowth and the circular economy.
The testing ground for this investigation is Schaarbeek-Vorming, located in northern Brussels. Historically operating as a major railway hub, the site boasts a rich industrial history. Today, it stands as an underperforming, underutilized enclave. Its vast scale and post-industrial reality make it an ideal canvas to decode the complexity of Brussels' urban and landscape systems.
Metabolism and Degrowth
To design for a post-growth culture, we must employ a low-tech, resource-conscious approach. Rather than looking at individual solutions per household, this research investigates the city as a complex metabolic system.
We focus on mapping and reimagining the flows of energy, water, waste, materials, and green infrastructure. By understanding the close relationship between raw resources, energy, and material usage, the studio aims to propose circular design strategies that maximize both environmental and social impact.
The Process: From 'S' to 'XL'
The methodology of the studio forces a radical shift in scale. We do not start with a masterplan; we start with a fragment.
The Micro-Scale (S): During the initial site fieldwork, the investigation is anchored by selecting a single physical element found on the terrain—a stone, a plant, a discarded cup, a piece of cloth, or a scrap of metal. We decode its specific metabolism by investigating its fabrication cycle, material qualities, embedded knowledge, and potential for reuse.
The Macro-Scale (XL): This single element becomes the foundational building block to understand broader urban impacts. The micro-analysis scales up into a comprehensive Material Flow Analysis (MFA) of the neighborhood.
A Manifesto for the Future
The research culminates in a Manifesto for Schaarbeek-Vorming. This is not a traditional architectural blueprint, but an inspiring, long-term urban-landscape vision. By translating their findings into a visually compelling statement, the next generation of city-makers defines their critical standpoint on how we can live, work, and move in a post-growth urban environment.