a2o architecten: wooden facade acts as outer shell

a2o architecten: wooden facade acts as outer shell
all images courtesy of a2o architecten

extending to the top of the building, this new wooden facade constructed by belgium based a2o architecten acts as an outer dress for the interior spatial fabric. ‘student housing, cellebroeders street’ is located between the ring road and grote market in hasselt, the edifice was formerly a shop with storage on the upper floors. the new floor plans have been divided into student accommodation units with a commercial space on the street level. separated by light walls, the rooms respect the existing facade aperture– each one has a removable unit that contains a kitchen, shower and toilet with a space to sleep at the top. the rest of the layout is left for the students to interpret. during a course of 3 months, the building was stripped and the new exterior cladding was installed. this outer shell provides flexibility so the internal spaces are able to be renovated as necessary.

picture of the front facade

detail of the wooden cladding

street view of the original situation, a former shop with storage on the upper floors

floorplan of the new design, with student accommodations

floorplan of the original design, with storage on the upper floors

concept scheme of the renovation

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