A Palimpsest in Line: A Graphic Biography of the Hasselt Beguinage

Abstract

The revitalisation of the Hasselt Beguinage and its transformation into the Faculty of Architecture and Arts has created an opportunity to reconsider the role of drawing as a critical mode of inquiry in adaptive reuse. Rather than treating drawing as a purely representational tool, the project frames it as an epistemic method—one capable of reconstructing lost spatial relationships, interpreting historical evidence, and revealing the layered logic of places shaped by centuries of change. The reconstruction drawings developed in this context demonstrate how drawing can operate as an instrument of historical reading and spatial interpretation, especially within complex heritage sites where archival fragments, material remains, and discontinuous histories must be bridged to form coherent narratives. Through this lens, drawing becomes an active method of investigation rather than a passive record, enabling both scholars and designers to grasp the evolving identity of the beguinage.