Project

This passive complex with 42 dwellings for the elderly and a polyvalent hall settles on and in the green slope of Neder-Over-Heembeek and connects the canal with the residential fabric.

This new construction mediates the scale difference and the inclination of the terrain by connecting to the residential area with 3 stories on top of the slope. At the bottom of the slope, the construction settles with 5 stories opposite the industrial buildings.

The wings of the building embrace a polyvalent hall in its new inner garden. This garden has a belvedere between both wings with a charming vista over the valley. The individual apartments organize themselves at the south facing facades. The transparent inner streets are located on the north side.

Landscape

The surrounding greenery grafts itself onto the historic Meudon park. A lot of emphasis is put on a green connective outdoor space and the interweaving of different functions. In this way, the strengthening of the social fabric and biodiversity is realized.

Materials 

The unambiguous plan development is further implemented in the materials and the construction. In the façade and inner streets, the apartments appear in green-tinted façade tiles. The inner streets are part of the protected volume, as a spur for the living environment. 

The individual apartments get a generous view of the surroundings. Furthermore, an interior window connects every kitchen with the inner street. This avoids social isolation and stimulates interaction. 

The oversized circulation and the arrangement of the dwellings around the polyvalent (community) hall make the whole project into a dynamic village on the slope. The facades of these oversized circulation areas are made of carpentry work. The interplay of opaque panels, patterned glass and clear glass animates the views. The kitchen window to the hallway makes every dwelling unit into a through-house.