OSA - Ura

About

URA is located in Brussels and is characterized by a broad spectrum of projects, varied both in scale and function. 'UR'-the name of the first city- supports a way of working. URA searches for universal, basic typologies and transforms them into a contemporary and precise identity in a specific context. The universal lies within the very specific. URA is led by two partners, Yves Malysse and Kiki Verbeeck.

YVES MALYSSE (°1973) yves.malysse@ura.be

graduated from the Sint-Lucas Institute of Architecture in Ghent. He has worked with MVRDV in Rotterdam and Jo Crepain in Antwerp, and with stage designer Bart Clement. He was a visiting professor at TU Delft and at the Academy for Architecture in Rotterdam. Since 2012 he has been a professor at LUCA School of Arts, Faculty of Architecture, in Brussels and Ghent..

KIKI VERBEECK (°1974) kiki.verbeeck@ura.be

Graduated from the Sint-Lucas Institute of Architecture in Ghent and specialized in Architectural Theory at KU Leuven. She has worked in Paris with uapS and Labfac, in Rotterdam with OMA, and in Brussels for Baines and Advisers. She was guest professor at LUCA School of Arts, Faculty of Architecture Ghent and at KU Leuven, Department of Architecture.

COLLABORATORS

Benny Geerinckx (°1975) benny.geerinckx@ura.be
Michiel van der Loos (°1986) michiel.vanderloos@ura.be
Carmen Vandermolen (°1992) carmen.vandermolen@ura.be
Tuomas Peippo (°1995) tuomas.peippo@ura.be
Louis Lories (°1995) louis.lories@ura.be
François Vande Perre (°1994) francois.vandeperre@ura.be
Paul Tschritter (°1996) paul.tschritter@ura.be
Warre Delaplace (°2000) warre.delaplace@ura.be
Sem De Boer (°1999 ) sem.deboer@ura.be
Tim De Munck (°1996 ) tim.demunck@ura.be
Maurits Bosman Bahamón (°1995 ) maurits.bosmanbahamon@ura.be
Eva Vossaert (°1996 ) eva.vossaert@ura.be

FORMER COLLABORATORS

Vincent Vergote / Eva Vermeulen / Soetkin Devolder / Bram Van Sever / Ruben Otter / Jonathan Vanhove / Lisa De Keuleneire / Egon Pollers / Milène Senden / Pauline Truyens / Heleen Eskens / Mathieu Jeukens / Sindri Sigurðsson / Jasper Aerts / Eva Lo / Ruth Van de steene / Ana Horvat / Tim Belaen / Maarten Lambrechts / Charlotte Biesbrouck / Felice Van Tieghem / Marius Vaneeckhoutte / Pauline Durand / Florence Mareen / Lisa Van Com / Jonathan Robert Maj / Isaura Doumen / Jeroen Kessels / Diane Engels / Anton Parys / Harold Vermeiren / Wim Dirickx / Alexander Smedts / Adeline de Vrij / Kaat Volckaert / Pieter Burssens / Tom Broes / Garin Boghossian / Jan de Moffarts / Elena Dragu / Dora Freier / Sila Giriftinoglu / Carlota Marchena Lopez / Frederic Karam / Laura Navarro / Pablo Olmeda Puertas / Angel Pérez Rojas / Olivier Roegiest / Sara Rondou / Giulia Scirocchi / Lorenzo Stroobant / Toon Vanobbergen / Gaspard Van Parys / Francis Vanden Baviere / Mira de Middeleer / Sofie Lieben / Sofie Liesenborghs / Andrea Neri / Alessandro Luraschi

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OSA
Redevelopment of the urban site
Sint-Andriesplaats and Prekersstraat
AG-Vespa
Antwerp (B), 2023–2027
3680 m²

URA, in collaboration with Altstadt, is redeveloping the Costa site at Sint-Andries, located in the heart of Antwerp and hidden behind a gate. It offers a layered context with high historical value. A collection of buildings, structures, and outdoor spaces from different periods coexists on the site. The diversity defines its character, but also reveals the need for a spatial and programmatic redefinition. The proposal addresses the fragmented layout and limited accessibility. A new spatial logic is introduced by reworking the entrance, clarifying the outdoor areas, and strengthening the connection with Prekersstraat. The new intervention forms a balanced framework for interaction, retreat, and activation. The architecture responds to the informality and open character of the site. Existing buildings are respected and subtly adapted to new uses. The new volume adds a clear identity and connects old and new. Transparency and permeability are key to enhancing spatial continuity. The project provides an innovative, multifunctional meeting place for children, youth, and local residents. Collaboration, sustainability, and shared use are the foundation of the concept.

In collaboration with Bollinger+Gorhmann, Daidalos Peutz, Tech3, Bureau bouwtechniek, Kollektif landscape