Jeugdzorgcentrum Emmaüs

Along a main road leading to the centre of Mechelen, noAarchitecten built a new facility for young people in difficulties. After a short stay at Emmaus, the youngsters (aged between twelve and eighteen years) are gradually integrated into a supervised domestic environment or a special housing arrangement. Emmaus is a testing ground: Flanders Youth Care is experimenting with small-scale units for young people, and this is reflected in the scope of the architecture. The architects opted for a recognisable typology – the semi-detached house – whereby the building connects with the adjoining residential district. The offices for the staff and supervisors are in the middle of the red-brick façade; on each side of this, three front doors each provide access to two homes for six youngsters. The use of a split-level in the houses gives the supervisors a perfect view of all the rooms, but this also creates a sense of openness for the residents. The materials are robust and homely at the same time. The central staircase, which both open and graced with a wooden artwork by the Dutch artist Carine Weve, is the lynchpin of this exceptional home.

Bart Tritsmans

This project is published in Flanders Architectural Review N°13. This Is a Mustard Factory