dmvA: swimming pool k, belgium

dmvA: swimming pool k, grimbergen, flanders, belgium
image © frederik vercruysse

all images courtesy of dmvA

during the renovation of a 17th century gentleman’s house in the flemish region of belgium, the adjoining property, then an abandoned school,
went up for sale and was promptly purchased. since the building bordered the client’s garden, the idea of a panoramic swimming pool
became the optimal program for the schoolhouse roof. the dmvA design required a system of columns and beams created the skeleton
inserted into the brick structure to support the pristine white-walled basin. the pool’s building systems also opened the remaining space
of the building to become a livable relaxation space with a ground floor open kitchen and a mixed use first level. the immaculate planes
white-out the rustic brick of the surrounding structures, save for the warm hues of the roof. the norbertine masonry of the grimbergen
abbey tower cuts into the otherwise uninterrupted sky above the pool wall edge.

the weathered brick of grimbergen abbey from 1128 can be seen over the surrealistically  immaculate walls of the pool 
image © frederik vercruysse

while the wall planes are almost blinding in their whiteness, an offset edge of smooth stones breaks up the light of the basin
image © frederik vercruysse

the pool creates a landscape of escape among the flemish brick city

image © frederik vercruysse

the pool reframes the panoramic views with material and form
image © frederik vercruysse

concrete provided the reinforcement neccessary for both the forgotten school building and the added pool
image © frederik vercruysse

the system of columns, beams and concrete opened the rest of the building for new programming
image © frederik vercruysse

views of the abbey from a mixed use living / dining area
image © frederik vercruysse

structural insertions meet existing brickwork
image © frederik vercruysse

the schoolhouse atop which the pool lies
image © frederik vercruysse

glazed insertion activates the garden while creating an open living / kitchen space
image © frederik vercruysse

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project info:

client: mr. and mrs. kegels – de caluwé
team: david driesen, tom verschueren, christine loos, sofie buggenhout        
general contractor: harry hendrickx (carcase works) – vorsselmans (aluminium) – polyureau (jbs)
constructional engineer: util
built area: 206 m2 (polyvalente space) en 103 m2 (swimming pool and roof terrace)

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