Relaunch for Museum of Contemporary Art construction project in Antwerp
The Flemish government has approved the updated project budget for the study and construction of a new M HKA, totalling 130 million euros. Additionally, the government has made a call for a design team for the new building.
“Visual art is unique to Flanders, providing an ideal platform to showcase Flanders’ international, open character. We are therefore pleased that Minister Jambon and his government are committed to moving forward with the planned Infrastructure advancement, even amidst the current challenging circumstances.”
Bart De Baere, General and Artistic Director, M HKA
Cultural heritage institution with international ambitions
The M HKA is presently situated within a repurposed and expanded grain silo on Leuvenstraat in Antwerp’s Zuidwijk district. However, the museum grapples with several infrastructural deficiencies and constraints. As a Flemish cultural heritage institution, the M HKA is expected to excel in its museum operations. Various preliminary studies have indicated that the current infrastructure falls short of meeting this expectation. The Flemish Community owns both the infrastructure and most of the M HKA’s collection.
The city of Antwerp and the Flemish Government have previously agreed to keep the M HKA in Antwerp’s Zuid district. The new museum building will be situated on the site of the Court of Appeal, adjacent to the Zuidersluis, centrally positioned along the axis of the new Zuidpark. To fulfil its international aspirations, the Flemish government has included provisions in the coalition agreement for the study and construction of a new M HKA.
A total project budget of 130 million euros has been allocated for this endeavour. Until 2024, 14.5 million euros have been earmarked for the necessary study contracts in the Flemish budget. The remaining amount will be released by the next government.
“The new building for the M HKA is a significant catalyst for advancing the Flemish contemporary arts sector and elevating its international presence. The new M HKA will serve as a cultural beacon for Flanders and far beyond.”
Jan Jambon, Flemish Minister of Culture
Making the rich art collection of the Flemish Community publicly accessible.
The Flemish Government aims to realise the best possible infrastructure for making the rich art collection of the Flemish Community publicly accessible. Through this new building project focusing on the presentation of contemporary art and practice in an international context, Flanders is taking the next step in making its own collections accessible to the public and contributing to making up ground in the cultural heritage field.
“In the new museum building, there is space for cutting-edge artistic and art-science research, collection preservation and management, and innovative production. The museum also plays a significant social role, offering diverse programming and encouraging participation from various communities. Additionally, we are exploring opportunities to incorporate digital narratives into the new museum.”
Luc Delrue, Secretary-General of the Department of Culture, Youth, and Media
Adjusted outline and estimate for construction project
The ambitions of the Flemish government as the client of the construction project have evolved since the previous procedure in 2019. Sustainability, for instance, has become an even higher priority on the agenda. Additionally, the city of Antwerp’s vision for the project site has also taken clearer shape. Meanwhile, the city initiated the procedure to develop a specific Spatial Implementation Plan (SIP) for the project site. The M HKA refined its ambitions for the future museum. Several insights emerged from these exercises and from the proposals of the first architectural competition. Furthermore, economic conditions changed, and construction costs rose sharply. These factors prompted the Department of Culture, Youth, and Media, in collaboration with the museum, to reassess and optimise the programme.
Construction team collaboration
To execute the study assignment, the Flemish government will engage in construction team collaboration. This involves a project-based form of cooperation comprising the contracting authority, the selected design team, and the contracted construction team for the construction project. The design team and contractor are selected through separate assignments, distinguishing the procedure from a design-and-build formula. Each member of the construction team maintains independence and individual responsibility. Special attention is given to the independence of the design team. Within a construction team, members collaborate from the early stages. Each team member contributes their experience and expertise to deliver the assignment to high standards, within the planned timeframe, and within the maximum construction budget set by the contracting authority.
Together, they seek the optimal solutions from the outset of the assignment.
During the course of this year, the Flemish government will publish the public contract to select a design team. The Flemish Master Builder will be overseeing the procedure. The Flemish Government aims for architectural excellence and hopes that many Flemish design firms will seize the opportunity alongside international architects. The publication for appointing a contractor will follow in the next legislative period.
