demeestere+garmyn & partners redesigns belgian residential district

demeestere+garmyn & partners redesigns belgian residential district
photo © ludwig desmet
all images courtesy of architecten demeestere+garmyn & partners BVBA

architecten demeestere+garmyn & partners have redesigned part of a residential district floreal located in ronse, belgium. as part of a competition, the goal was to provide a complete makeover of an old neighborhood from the 1970s. the zone lies on the border between the urban and the outlying areas of the city, each with their own specific problems.

photography © icarus projects

to prevent the district from becoming an isolated suburb, the architects chose to strongly connect it with the existing network and the natural landscape. this was achieved by linking the complex with the singularity and the historical aspects of the metropolis, while formally manipulating the silhouette of the building into an organic shape that would provide a distinguished yet harmonious visual within the context.

photo © ludwig desmet

by using the recurring principle of the square and the tower, giving each of the former its own character, and the village as a strengthening factor for the sense of identity of the inhabitants, the project enhances the quality of life in the neighborhood. a mixing of various target groups occurs on a demographic level as a result of an extensive differentiation of housing types. this facilitates more civic integration and constant activity within the urban fabric. the work performs for both, families with children, singles and the elderly, to increase the sense of security and guarantee the experience of the inhabitants.

photo © ludwig desmet

durability, sustainability, and ecology are at the very core of the design. in fact, the community is in a position to serve as a model example on a social structure level. therefore, the approach is based on the basic principles of energy-efficient building, including: energy management by extensive use of insulation, the production of alternative sources, rationalization of water consumption, controlled discharge of stormwater, and use of environmentally and maintenance friendly materials.

photo © ludwig desmet

photo © ludwig desmet

photo © ludwig desmet

photo © ludwig desmet

photo © ludwig desmet

photo © ludwig desmet

cross section of the building

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