At the westernmost point of the Belgian coastline, Westerpunt stands like a monumental sculpture between sand, sea, and dunes. This contemporary viewpoint, inaugurated in 2024 in De Panne, offers a unique experience: climbing an architectural work to contemplate one of the country’s wildest coastal landscapes.
Galerie photos
Door Paul Hermans - Eigen werk, CC0, Koppeling
Door Paul Hermans - Eigen werk, CC0, Koppeling
An architectural sculpture between art and landscape
Westerpunt is not just an observation platform. It is a sculptural concrete structure, designed by the architectural firm studioMOTO, which deliberately blends into its surroundings. The concrete is pigmented in a shade close to sand, reinforcing the impression that the structure emerges naturally from the coastal landscape.
Its floor plan is an elongated pentagonal shape, consisting of five flights of steps connected by landings. The whole creates an ascending, almost playful path that invites visitors to stroll and contemplate.
A spectacular view of the Belgian coast
From its summit, Westerpunt offers an exceptional panoramic view of:
- the Westhoek nature reserve,
- the protected dunes,
- the beach at La Panne,
- and the North Sea stretching as far as the eye can see.
At high tide, the sea can lap at the base of the structure. During spring tides, parts of the staircase are even partially submerged, giving the site an almost spectacular dimension that changes according to natural conditions.
A work designed to interact with the sea
Westerpunt was built at the end of the promenade that extends the sea wall. Its location is not insignificant: the structure rests on a complex foundation system designed to withstand marine conditions, with piles deeply anchored below the water level.
The belvedere is accessible from both the seawall and the beach, allowing visitors to approach it from different angles and enjoy a variety of experiences depending on the season or tide.
An ambitious and contemporary public project
Selected in 2020 following an architectural competition, the Westerpunt project was officially approved in 2021 and will be built between 2023 and 2024. It is part of several public programs aimed at enhancing the coastal landscape through striking contemporary architecture, including:
WinVorm, a platform dedicated to innovative interventions in public spaces,
Horizon 2025 – Uitkijkpunten, a project by the Province of West Flanders aimed at creating remarkable viewpoints throughout the region.
