Sociale huurwoningen

The OCMW decided to replace an elongated farmstead in one of the ribbons with seven new social houses.

Broekx-Schiepers proposed locating the homes on the perimeter of the plot, so as to form a central open space facing the houses along the ribbon development. They also designed a canopy in the middle of this space under which people can park their cars. Each house boasts a small terrace at the back. All of the kitchens and living rooms look out onto the open space. The façades are executed in white sheeting alternated with red building blocks. Here and there, the eaves project outwards. It is not clear where one house ends and the other begins. This enhances the communal nature of the square, which becomes a place where residents and passers-by alike are welcome: for a barbecue, a party under the canopy or a neighbourly chat on the doorstep. This is a breath of fresh air in a village where each home is intended to be the most singular expression of wholly individual housing desires.

Author: Oswald Devisch. This text has been published in the Architecture Review Flanders N°11. Embedded Architecture.