B-ILD and Constructo use shades of red concrete for skatepark on Belgian coast

This multi-tonal red concrete skatepark by architects B-ILD and Constructo doubles as a public square in the Belgian city of Blankenberge.

Skate ramps rising from all four corners mark the edges of the square, which has a submerged bowl at its centre. The skatepark follows the existing slope of the 900 metre-square site, with the elevated ramps merging into a flat platform that surrounds the bowl.

Brussels studio B-ILD collaborated with Marseille-based skatepark specialists Constructo on the park for coastal city, which is located in North Flanders.

Conceived by the architects as a “sculpture in its environment,” the concrete surface is slightly elevated to form a platform, enhancing its visibility and strengthening its sculptural qualities.

Different shades of red concrete make up the various layers and features of the skatepark. The inner circle and surfaces of the benches are made from grey concrete, with contrasting rust-coloured steel rails.

Handrails and benches are located around the hexagonal centre of the bowl providing a variation in the surface level for skaters and BMX riders, and a place to sit when the park is not in use.

“The open character of the skatepark, with the addition of a public square allows it to become an integral part of its wider surroundings,” said B-ILD. “The skate stage strengthens the already existing recreational infrastructure in the city of Blankenberge.”

“The unambiguous and architectural conception aspires to leave a lasting impression on its users and passers-by,” added the architects.

Coloured concrete has continued to grow in popularity, with recent examples ranging from a dusty pink extension in North London to a geometrically-shaped Peruvian archaeology museum designed by Barclay & Crousse.

Materials manufacturer Lanxess recently launched the Concrete Works Award 2017 as part of their Coloured Concrete Works initiative, which aims to promote modern architecture made from tinted concrete.

Constructo has previously collaborated with several other studios on skateparks including an irregular quatrefoil-shaped bowl made of maroon concrete it created in northern France with Planda architects.

Photography is by Dennis De Smet. Video is by Mathieu Hupperts.

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Project credits:

Architect: B-ILD & Constructo
Contractor: Concrete Dreams – Olivier Construct
Client: City of Blankenberge

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