Designing the Social
This large, pre-war industrial complex in Maastricht became a squat in 2002 and has since been transformed into a unique cultural free-zone inside the Belvédère urban redevelopment area.
Nothing remains of the 13th-century monastery that once stood a short distance from Maastricht's old city centre along the Maas river. The area's industrial expansion led to the construction of new infrastructures and the subsequent destruction of the sacred site. Just before World War II, an influential agricultural cooperative erected a large industrial complex on the site, but it was already unoccupied by the 1970s. After a long period of vacancy, part of the industrial complex was squatted in 2002.
The Landbouwbelang squat, named after the former agricultural cooperative, used the sizeable industrial premises for public events, exhibitions and parties. Over time, additional walls created several private spaces in the main building's concrete grid. While Landbouwbelang continued to grow as one of Maastricht's most important hubs for alternative culture, the city council launched the Belvédère project to redevelop the surrounding area into a cultural quarter. It is still unclear whether the Landbouwbelang will have a place in the new plans.
Function: Around 10 different sized accommodations, also a communal kitchen, artist studios and working spaces, yoga and meditation space with 360-degree views, creative working zones, community restaurant, martial arts studio, sauna, large club space, sizeable event hall and basement bar.
This project was made possible thanks to:
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