Architecture practices ABV+ architecten and Zwarts & Jansma Architects are to design 9 new sports centres in Flanders, Belgium as part of a public-private partnership. Located in the municipalities of Antwerp, Blankenberge, Boutersem, Duffel, Kortenken, Kortessem and Meerhout, the civic buildings are to retain a human scale and be completed within the next 13 months.

A common thread is to run through the design of each building. All 9 sports centres will be arranged with the support services on the ground floor and sports halls on the first floor. The lower portions of the buildings will be smoothly integrated into their local urban realm with muted colour schemes in warm tones at ground level. In contrast, the upper levels will be clad in translucent panels which will be illuminated from within during the evening to ‘light up like beacons’.