JDS architects: keizer karel building proposals, ghent

‘keizer karel building proposal 2’ by JDS architects, ghent, belgium

all images courtesy of jds architects

a prominent street corner in ghent was reimagined into two iterations of luxurious apartment complexes by the conscientious designers at JDS architects. keizer karel street is a pedestrian-friendly area in a dense and quaint part of the busy municipality. both ideas were developed to contribute to the vibrant urban fabric of the historically rich, flemish region of belgium while maintaining contemporary architectonic amenities. the 60-80 units were composed for optimum amounts of natural light, city views and pockets of terraced greenery. one approach posits a corner-hugging mass that is parsed into alternating forms. the result is a prismatic structure, interjected by an open-air courtyard. the folded facade has glazed facets that are oriented toward the best possible sunlit angle and optimal city views. the bidirectional envelope walls create private terraces for every unit as well as separation from the neighbor’s lot. these habitable strata wrap around the large central green space and the overall structure contains an large roof garden so as to add further dynamism to the dematerialized mass. 

the building folds with the city fabric

angled exterior walls are oriented toward the sun

interior view out to the balcony

the folded strata free the corner in a layered way

almost every unit has an opportunity for green, sunlit terraces

stepped units wrap around a central void

the project is an endeavor of monumental greenery

floor plan with site context 

elevation 1

elevation 2

elevation 3

section

sun light and city view diagram

the massive form is dematerialized

 the radically different second approach offers three discrete towers to direct lines of sight and views around the city. the program, divided by the number of bedrooms per unit, is separated by tower, allowing for simultaneous consolidation and openness. the complex is flanked by two major streets that meet at the proposed entrance of the structure. the tower facing keizer karel street would further its overall sustainable methodology by attaching to the existing neighboring building, while the building on frans ackerman street would be setback from an house already on site so as to facilitate the opening of the southern facade. the slim forms are connected by a architectonic base that ribbons around a open-air light tower and is topped by greenery. all the buildings contain walkable roof gardens and have angled cuts on the top two floors. the sliced architecture also allows for ample southward-facing balconies that afford ideal city views.        

three towers jut through the trafficked corner

whole towers are straddled and moved toward the light

the sliced first four floors frees the building of the corner

interior view

the towers frame the existing urban landscape

remarkable expanses of greenery characterize the building

the sliced tops of the forms make habitable stepped planes

a view into the interstitial spaces

floor plan in context

elevation 1

elevation 2

elevation 3

section

program diagram

the built mass is subtracted and replaced with public spaces and gardens