VANDEUREN IV

Programme

The Boondael block consists of a complex comprising three buildings : 

17 Housing Units + 1 Community Facility + Exterior landscaping of an inner courtyard

About

The Boondael block consists of a complex comprising three buildings (17 Housing Units 1 Community Facility) is located at the corner of Rue Delbove and Chaussée de Boondael. This block is part of the same urban block as the one involved in the major renovations inaugurated in October 2017. The rear façades of these buildings were completely redesigned to create low-energy dwellings clad in white render. Our intervention continues this previous work, with the goal of harmonizing and modernizing the entire site.

 

To ensure aesthetic coherence with the buildings already renovated in light render, a façade system is implemented: mineral wool insulation combined with white glazed tile cladding. This choice creates a uniform and durable façade throughout the interior of the block, establishing a homogeneous landscape visible from the neighboring private houses. Black metal balconies are also added to provide each unit with a quality outdoor space. On the ground floor, the dwellings benefit from terraces protected by carefully integrated greenery.

 

Within the block, a community facility known as “l’œuvre de la Goutte de lait ” adopts a resolutely contemporary architectural style.

For practical reasons, only the street-facing façade is preserved. Grilles are installed to close the openings and provide new permeability within the heart of the block. A new low-rise building will be created inside the block, designed as an open and flexible space capable of hosting various functions, including recreational and cultural activities. This large space is intended for neighborhood associations, which will be able to organize collective community activities that foster social cohesion and togetherness, both among social housing tenants and between them and neighboring private residents. The aim is to eliminate the dichotomies present in our society—also at play in the Boondael neighborhood—between families and isolated individuals, older people and younger ones, and between precarious households and more affluent neighbors.

In keeping with the glazed tiles, a colored ceramic cladding is applied to the façade. This material gives the building a distinctive shine. A water-green shade was selected to visually differentiate this facility from the rest of the housing.

 

This building includes a multipurpose hall with a stage, a kitchen/bar, and storage areas, intended for use by neighborhood associations.

Preservation of Heritage on the Front Façades
As with the Vandeuren block, a rooftop extension allows for the creation of a three-bedroom duplex apartment connected to the third floor. This extension is set back from the front and side façades, thus minimizing its visual impact from the public space.
The front façades, which have heritage value, are restored identically in order to preserve their original architectural character.

Typology

Logements multiples

Status

Construit

Year of delivery

2025

Client

Binhôme

More information
P&P architectes