BMW Verstraeten

Project Name
BMW Verstraeten
Function
BMW and Mini car showroom + workshop
Surface
4.076 m²
Location
Lochristi, Antwerpsesteenweg
Visit

concept

This new development project is situated 1 km from the Ghent R4 ring road in the direction of Lochristi. It used the most advanced techniques and options available – in terms of both architecture and organization – to provide service to customers in a quick, friendly and pleasant fashion. The new concession is a prime example – in terms of its architectural implementation and service/usage on a human scale – of a showroom based on the shop window box principle.

Project Description

The showroom, measuring 80 × 18 m, acts as an extravert tunnel in its longitudinal direction – the direction of speed and mobility. The front facade is introvert with various shop window boxes acting as accents and capable of showcasing one car per box. The boxes are positioned at different levels and are accessible internally to all visitors via a gangway suspended from the roof. The tunnel effect in the showroom is made more dynamic by means of various protruding spaces acting as sales offices, administration spaces, meeting room and reception areas.

The entire showroom is clad in glass, both opaque white and clear, so that the total space resembles an ice cube reflecting the colour and movement of its surroundings. The space seems to come alive with its surroundings. As a contrast to the showroom, the workshop areas are housed in an anthracite grey black box made of sandwich panelling. The rest of the site is laid out as a road system and green zone.