Close to Lombergveld/Kesterheid (Belgium), the Paddenbroek building is a transformation of an old farmhouse into a modern countryside education centre. Designed by Jo Taillieu architecten, the metamorphosis places a particular emphasis on the connection between nature, agriculture, tourism and regional identity.
The original farmhouse and accessory buildings were partially dismantled and refurbished within a volume of glass and steel that acts as a protective shell. Each façade features a unique perspective and connection to surrounding views – and vice versa.
The generous amount of glazing achieves a close feeling of connection between land and building. At the same time, strategies for climate control mitigate the extensive amount of glass. This includes the incorporation of a greenhouse that serves as an unheated ‘in-between’ space and curtains that protect against extreme summer heat. The roof, with its saw-tooth profile, accommodates solar panels while acoustic panels are employed in the vaulted interior space.
Despite the initially striking modern glazed appearance, the layering of old and new structures provides a richness of interior spaces and types of use. Programmatic elements include offices, kitchenette, and small meeting rooms within the renovated main building, an existing retained baking oven and studio, sanitary facilities within the old barn and multi-purpose space/pedestrian café in the shared space of the ground floor.
