Vandeuren III-IV is an ambitious renovation transforming 160 housing units into 132 social housing units while integrating communal facilities and redesigning the interior of the block. The goal is to reconcile heritage conservation, livability, and circularity through a thoughtful intervention that enhances the existing structures while addressing contemporary challenges.
This rehabilitation concerns seven of the 13 buildings in the estate, designed between 1928 and 1935 by architect J.Caluwaert. Representing an eclectic style, these buildings are characterized by their carefully crafted front façades and a more homogeneous, understated rear composition. The project builds on this architectural identity, preserving the quality of the structures while adapting the housing units to modern standards.
The intervention seeks a subtle balance between preservation and transformation. Front façades are meticulously restored, while the rear façades are renovated, featuring integrated balconies and extensions.
Inside, the spatial reorganization optimizes fluidity and natural light while minimizing demolitions.Circular economy principles play a key role: reclaimed bricks are used for exterior arrangements, floor beams are repurposed for extension roofs and structures, and cement tiles are reintegrated into communal spaces, ensuring a sustainable approach to the site’s transformation.
The interior of the block is designed to be open and permeable to the neighborhood, creating a gathering space that contrasts with the original enclosed gardens.
Rainwater management has been reimagined with a natural infiltration system integrated into the landscape, enhancing the project’s ecological resilience. Finally, several communal facilities are incorporated: a laundry, a public digital space, a homework support center, and a cultural hall, fostering interaction and services for residents.
Vandeuren III-IV thus embody an approach where past architecture engages in dialogue with contemporary techniques, promoting a sustainable and respectful integration into Brussels’ urban fabric.
