Rainbow Square A Dynamic Transformation by Sweco Belgium

From Parking Lot to Vibrant Public Space

Until recently, Rainbow Square in Waregem was nothing more than an asphalt parking lot primarily associated with the nearby football stadium. The area underwent a significant transformation with the addition of an office building, a hotel, two apartment buildings, and the renovation of the football stadium. This change shifted the space from a monofunctional parking area to a dynamic and flexible public space. During home matches of the local football team, Essevee, the area accommodates over 12,000 people. On other days, it serves as a high-quality meeting and living space for passers-by, visitors, and residents.

A Landmark Entrance to Waregem

Located along the Waregem ring road (R35), Rainbow Square is a prominent site for anyone driving from the E17 towards the city center. Waregem aimed to make this square a landmark entrance to the city. Due to the dense presence of buildings on the site, integrating as much greenery as possible into the design was essential.

Integrating Green Spaces

Previously, the site was dominated by asphalt with only a few small, narrow green strips. Today, the area has been cleared of car traffic, only accessible to fire and capture vehicles during home matches. The paved area, initially 8000m², has been reduced to 5850m², with 1600m² covered in grass concrete tiles. This reduction in net paving by almost 50% allows for more green space and better water management.

Sustainable Water Management

A primary goal of the redesign was to retain all rainwater on-site. Rainwater falling on the paved areas flows towards wadis, where it can be buffered and infiltrated. If the water level becomes too high, it flows via special culvert connections to the rainwater drain. The zone required for the fire department was laid out with grass concrete tiles, and a water-permeable foundation was used to maximize infiltration into the subsoil.

Designing for Functionality and Aesthetics

The project design was guided by an analysis of expected walking routes combined with the architecture of the surrounding buildings. This resulted in an organic yet structured layout. The extra width required for fire department accessibility and zones for capture vehicles was created using grass concrete tiles, with a precise pattern of 50% concrete and 50% grass. This design creates a beautiful interplay of lines that complement the organic shapes of the overall layout.

Accessibility and Comfort

To ensure integral accessibility, the benches are easily and comfortably reachable through the application of a closed stone in the same format as the grass concrete tile. This thoughtful design ensures that Rainbow Square is not only visually appealing but also functional and accessible for all visitors.

Rainbow Square has successfully transitioned from a simple parking lot to a vibrant public space, enhancing Waregem’s urban landscape and providing a high-quality environment for its users.