Masterplan Torhout Centre+ Thorsite

PLUSOFFICE, in collaboration with landscape expert Fallow, mobility expert Anyways, and financial expert CITYD-WES, developed the master plan for the Centre+ area and the Thorsite to address various programmatic needs such as a new swimming pool, expansion of sports facilities, performing arts, youth services, a community center, and more.

The master plan for the Centre+ area builds upon several previous spatial visions, such as the experience and identity study (2016) and the Bouwmeesterscan (2020), in which the development of this master plan was designated as a strategic project. So, we are not starting from scratch. The aim of the master plan is to build as much as possible on previous insights and supported positions. On the other hand, it is also an invitation to remain critical, to question certain insights, to add new qualities, and where possible, to convert opportunities into positive change to meet future challenges. In this sense, the master plan for the Centre+ area arrives at the right moment.

In the short term, there is a challenging programmatic puzzle to solve due to the availability of several strategic sites (Thorsite, the current swimming pool, and the fire station), linked to concrete spatial demands for sports, culture, youth, education, social services, housing, and more. At the same time, the master plan must also address the many transition issues we face.