Residency De Grote Post & VIERNULVIER

Exploratory research in the framework of ‘Places of Solidarity in Public Space’ in the public foyers of cultural centre De Grote Post in Ostend and arts centre VIERNULVIER in Ghent

During this combined residency, Ruimteveldwerk (RVW) conducted an exploratory study on the use of foyers as semi-public spaces in De Grote Post (DGP) and VIERNULVIER. Over the course of two months, RVW engaged in conversations with staff, visitors, and partners. Central to the research was the friction that can arise between diverse user groups: attendees of cultural events, café guests, young people, students, and individuals in vulnerable situations such as people experiencing homelessness.

Plans ground floor of the DPG (left) and VIERNULVIER (right) highlighting the freely accessible public areas.

Cultural centres generally aim to create welcoming foyers and accompanying food and beverage areas. While they acknowledge the potential for tensions, they remain open to the multiple uses of these spaces. Foyers are relatively safe, comfortable environments that allow for informal interaction. It is important to shape these spaces in such a way that everyone – children, the elderly, newcomers, and vulnerable residents – feels welcome.

Context-sensitive interventions in urban space with special attention to people are referred to as a form of ‘restorative urbanism’. It is a new way of looking at the relationship between the city and social processes. What role do these cultural centres play within the social fabric of the city? It’s about well-being and quality of life for the users. The starting point is the concept of the ‘empowering city’ and the ‘restorative city’, aiming to prioritise well-being and mental health in urban design.

The goal of this residency was to explore the social and spatial potential of these environments. In both cultural centres, RVW mapped the needs of visitors through observations, conversations, and surveys. These insights were translated into sketches and moodboards, serving as a starting point for further dialogue. The ambition was not to offer ready-made solutions, but to make friction discussable and to encourage joint reflection – including the exchange of experiences between DGP and VIERNULVIER. Workshops, on-site experiments, and conversations with staff and visitors shaped the process.

Key areas of attention included safety, clarity, comfort, basic amenities (such as restrooms, shelter, and cleanliness), and acoustics. Many users expressed a need for peace, calm, and a space where they can catch their breath. Not being required to consume something, and the feeling of being left in peace, contribute for many to a sense of dignity and normality.

The ambition is to make the foyer a place for informal interaction, where encounters can happen without obligation. In this way, connection and empathy can grow – even with visitors who are not necessarily there for cultural programming or hospitality. At the same time, a certain level of guidance remains necessary, with attention to reciprocal solidarity: a dynamic, inclusive space where different users cross paths with respect and without displacing one another. At DGP, this was followed up through collaboration with young people during the event Vuurwerk, where these ideas were further tested and refined.

In the ticket hall of DGP, various ‘tools’ were used to attract visitors, initiate contact, and gather feedback. The responses revealed a wide range of insights. Among young people, boys preferred activities in large open spaces, while girls preferred to organise activities in quieter, more secluded areas rather than in the centre of the space. The desire to do something active and the need for more seating were often expressed. There was also the idea of opening up the counters for activities. Whereas in the past actions were often reactive – triggered by problems or complaints from staff or operators – here, the goal was to start from a positive approach, actively engaging users as ‘experts’ of the ticket hall through participatory inquiry.

More about De Grote Post and VIERNULVIER:

Cultural centre De Grote Post in Ostend
Arts centre VIERNULVIER in Ghent

Thanks to:

Everyone who shared their thoughts and knowledge with us, as well as the organisations we had the opportunity to meet, among them:
BlinkOut who help think about more inclusive place by introducing low-incentive space ‘Stiltekamer’ in the hard of a high-incentive place like an event location and the city centre.
Kelly Hendriks (B-ILD) to share their observations and insights from the VIERNULVIER café refurbishment project.
Enchanté to share insights on the initiative ‘Hartelijke plekken’.