Timber facade

For nearly a century, the Hydrion has been home to an iconic aquatic and sports complex in Arlon. Today, this ADEPS center includes a large outdoor swimming pool, multipurpose halls, an athletes’ residence, and various sports fields. As part of a major renovation plan for public swimming pools in Wallonia, RESERVOIR A was commissioned to oversee its ambitious transformation. This large-scale project was divided into two phases, the first of which focused on the construction of a new athletics shelter. Marie-Noëlle Dailly Marie-Noëlle Dailly Marie-Noëlle Dailly The new structure replaces a fragmented set of small buildings: workshops for site maintenance, garages, restrooms, and a call room — the sp... More

Since 2012, RESERVOIR A has been working on the renovation and extension of the Le Scailmont cultural and sports center in Manage. This complex, originally built in the 1970s, no longer met the municipality’s needs in terms of public facilities. The project involves the renovation of spaces dedicated to existing activities (multipurpose hall, sports hall, creative workshops, and the André Canonne library) as well as the extension of functions already present on the site. Marie-Noëlle Dailly Marie-Noëlle Dailly This large-scale project has been divided into three phases, the first of which was recently completed: The energy and interior renovation of the existing complex;The expansion of the cultural cente... More

Chesa Futura (‘house of the future’ in Romansch) fuses state-of-the-art computer design tools with centuries-old construction techniques to create an environmentally sensitive apartment building. Although its form is novel, it is framed and clad in timber – one of the oldest and most sustainable building materials. In Switzerland, building in timber is particularly appropriate in that it follows traditions developed and refined over centuries. The building’s larch shingles respond naturally to exposure to the elements, changing colour over time to a silver-grey, and should last for a hundred years without the need for maintenance.   The building consists of three storeys of apartments and two underground level... More

Our circular modular timber school Het Epos in Rotterdam is complete and fully operational. Both staff and pupils are very happy with the fresh yet cozy building and are making excellent use of the different spaces.   Het Epos primary school is an initiative of The Verre Bergen Foundation. This foundation aims to give back to the city of Rotterdam by setting up a new school in Zuidwijk, an area in the southern part of the city which is socioeconomically disadvantaged. In this innovative primary school teachers are given more allocated teaching time with students than the Dutch average, so they can better support the individual needs of the students.   SeARCH, together with builder De Groot Vroomshoop, has developed a new way o... More

In Hoek van Holland, near the Maeslant barrier, which is part of the Delta Works, lies the Oranjebonnenpolder recreational area. To connect a network of paths with recreational routes along the NieuweWaterweg ship canal, a new railway overpass has been built for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.    The typology of the bridge harks back to the 19th-century ‘covered bridges’ of east-coast rural America. These were covered timber structures shaped like a stable so that horses would cross ‘voluntarily’ and not take fright at the wild water or thundering locomotives below. A practical, illusionary invention that also offered a practical solution for this project.   The bridge has a hybrid construction... More

Spring Farm is an emerging community in Sydney’s South-West. NBRSARCHITECTURE has designed and delivered a community centre that visually invites and draws in the local community through design elements that evoke intrigue and play. In doing so NBRS, in collaboration with Camden Council, has created an environment to nurture and strengthen community in the growing neighbourhood.   Spring Farm Community Centre’s (SFCC) most immediate design feature is the articulated roof that projects over the flanks of the buildings, providing sheltered walkways from the retail area adjacent to the site through to the public park on the other side. The panelled timber facades allow passers-by to peek in and take a glimpse at what is happ... More

Between Escarpment and the Sea. Coledale, located between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Pacific Ocean, is an area undergoing gentle transformation, where miner’s cottages jostle with more recent homes. The brief asked to accommodate a creative family of four and to provide a smaller second dwelling to share the wonderful locale with extended family, friends and guests.  This project is built on a constrained corner block, where a steep south facing slope, ocean views and solar access are all at odds with one another.  In response, and drawing from the geological strata on this coastline, a new raised ground plane and elevated deck was developed, providing refuge and prospect for the occupants. Below this, the garage, s... More

BremenLike many German cities, Bremen is confronted with an increasing housing shortage and a growing demand for affordable housing.In response to this, the largest Bremen Housing Association, GEWOBA, has prudently taken on a supplementary extension to their existing 45,000 plus housing stock. In 2011, within the framework of the competition “ungewöhnlich Wohnen” (unusual living), five exemplary lots from a postwar housing area were chosen to investigate the adaptability of the area. The proposals considered contemporary demands for affordable and flexible housing that could offer manifold inhabitant configurations. These housing areas in the Gartendstadt Süd of Neustadt Bremen, offer generous green open areas formed b... More

Yarraville Light House is a three bedroom home in Melbourne’s inner West. To the front, the original single fronted Victorian cottage has been carefully renovated with original features retained. To the rear a new single storey extension has been added. The extension is designed to embrace contemporary courtyard living making the most of a long, narrow site. It features a curvaceous timber façade edged by a long timber bench seat. A pocket courtyard sits between old and new and brings light into the centre of the house. The design makes the most of the long and narrow (50m long x 6m wide) site.What was the brief?Our clients, Andrew & Bec are a couple with a young family. Their brief was to create a light filled family home with contempo... More