No trip to Brussels is complete without a stop at a friterie, the simple kiosks serving the classic Belgian snack – crunchy fries served with a choice of condiments, from the national favourite, mayonnaise, to spicy samurai sauce.
Now, thanks to an architecture competition run by the city in collaboration with the National Federation of Friteries, the city is to gain 10 new friteries that promise to take the humble kiosk to new heights.
The new-style snack shacks have been created by Ghent architects studio MOTO and its winning design seeks to celebrate the symbolic value of the kiosks as part of the city’s street culture.
Featuring a mirrored facade, which means the kiosk resembles a shimmering box when closed, the friteries willprovide a reflection of the street around them.
Each friteriewill have its own individual illuminated sign on the roof spelling out its name, and inside they will all be tiled in their own colour.
Describing the concept, studio MOTO, which was founded in 2017 by Thomas Hick and Mo Vandenberghe, released a statement saying: “The focus lies on identity, functionality and context. The typical elements of a friterie, such as the recognisable shape, the awning, the glass counter and the neon sign on top are all present in this design. But by providing the friteries with a mirrored facade, they enter into a dynamic dialogue with their environment.”
The friteries will be placed in prominent locations around Brussels and will open in 2019.
