GPG - Toren voor Dier en Mens

A Tower for Animals and Humans, a concrete structure contrasting with the surrounding nature, as a landmark at the Wonderwoud site in Ghent. The origins of building volumes lie in the utility needs of humans. An integration of other functions that do not exclusively serve humans is increasingly becoming a requirement in the current zeitgeist.

It is imperative that we focus on housing for the real inhabitants of this domain: the symbiosis between animals and humans. Various nesting cavities have been made in the walls for the various animals of the Wonderwoud. In this nature park, humans are the visitors. An observation tower was built for them in a strategic position. The point forms an important hiking landmark. Each level offers extensive views of its surroundings. At the top, the 360° panoramic view of Ghent awaits, with its port and towers.

The jury on GPG - A Tower for Animals and Humans:

This is a fine example of thoughtful design in a world where wild animals are becoming increasingly rare and their habitats increasingly restricted by human activity. ‘Tower for Animals and Humans’ consciously integrates functions that benefit not only humans but also the surrounding nature. Overlooking Ghent’s Wonderwoud, this tower is not only an impressively designed panoramic viewing point, but also a safe haven for nesting sand martins, resting bats and other locals, from rabbits to kestrels. The result is integration-based thinking that should become self-evident in the future.

What does this award mean to you?

Architect Henry van de Velde built a Tower for Books in Ghent. This project has become one of Ghent’s most notable structures. Now, 90 years later, from the Tower for Animals and Humans, we look back on the Book Tower, the city of Ghent and its surrounding landscape. 

Henry van de Velde taught us that an architect is not limited to building houses, schools, and so on. In 2025, an architect works on inclusive projects that take maximum account of topical social issues. 

With this award for the Tower for Animals and Humans, we want to issue a strong message to raise public awareness of the planet’s other inhabitants.

How did the idea for this project come about?

URA Yves Malysse Kiki Verbeeck has been involved in creating structures in public spaces since its inception. Their fascination with interaction with the public has already resulted in several projects, such as the bus station in Bruges and the bicycle crossing in Ledeberg. Together with Sweco, Driekwart Groen and ARA, we won the design competition for Wonderwoud, for the redevelopment of the former Lochristi military airfield. Our task was to design the central observation tower.

What makes your project so special?

The Tower for Animals and Humans is designed as an inclusive dwelling and observation tower for Animals and Humans. The Tower provides protection for all kinds of animals, big and small. 

The Tower is the distinctive way to experience the nature reserve in its wider context. 

In this new ‘green pole’ a short distance from the city of Ghent, the project encourages people to actively discover the park. Visitors are treated to various views of the surroundings via a spiral staircase. 

A sculpturally robust addition, which, as time goes on, will gradually blend into its surroundings, as a sign of the symbiosis between animals and humans.

How does it contribute to a better world?

A large colony of sand martins has always lived in the nature reserve. Their presence is the reason nesting cavities were included for the wide range of mammals in the Wonderwoud. 

The Tower ensures visitors’ maximum awareness of animals. While climbing the tower, visitors are reminded in various ways of its inclusive character. 

This robust concrete project is meant to last for eternity. To minimise the ecological impact, blast furnace cement was used, a residual product from the steel industry. A minimal calculation was performed for the steel used, which ensures a noticeable reduction in steel consumption as well as the corresponding CO2 emissions, without compromising on quality.

Do you have any further plans for this project?

The Tower for Animals and Humans is the latest result of URA’s research into the everyday use of public space. We are constantly looking for ways to use architectural interventions to make society more pleasant and appealing for every living being.