Collaboration between Stichting Kracht voor de Toekomst (KvdT) and ISTT, University of Antwerp

The ISTT’s collaboration with Moengo began in 2016-2017, focusing on participatory, design-driven research to support local initiatives. The recent acquisition of the Beatrix Theater by Stichting Kracht voor de Toekomst offers significant cultural and social development opportunities but also presents challenges. A large-scale renovation into a fully operational theatre is risky due to high costs and the potential rigidity of a finalised plan. Instead, a phased approach is recommended, focusing first on safety and structural preservation, such as ensuring the building is weatherproof and stable. This will allow small-scale activities to begin, demonstrating progress and fostering local enthusiasm.

ISTT students are revising existing building plans and will conduct on-site surveys to create detailed technical designs. This process ensures accurate plans and facilitates meaningful engagement with Moengo’s community, building trust and mutual understanding. Alongside these efforts, the theatre’s operational model must emphasise financial self-sustainability. Inspired by urban commons principles, the project will adopt a community-driven approach, promoting transparency, collaboration, and inclusivity. Students will study global case studies, adapt strategies to Moengo’s context, and create visual materials to explore the theatre’s potential uses.

This gradual, community-centred approach ensures that the Beatrix Theater evolves as a sustainable cultural hub, rooted in Moengo’s unique social and cultural context.