Blanc Gravier housing

Programme: Renovation of the student accommodation building (B46) (104 beds) located on the “Blanc-Gravier” sports site at Sart Tilman in Liège

About: The accommodation building was designed by architect Bruno Albert in 1985.
The building is characterized by a symmetrical layout of two long, distinct wings, each wing composed of three “staircase” elements, revealing three courtyards of varying dimensions within the project. The largest courtyard is partially enclosed by a large sports hall, completing the overall composition.
The architecture produced is essentially post-modernist. The finesse and sophistication of the prefabricated concrete elements forming columns, capitals, spandrels, lintels and loggias suggest the rhythmic rigor of the whole, down to the smallest detail.
The building benefits from a perfectly systematic primary structural system (columns/slabs). This makes it easy to envisage scenarios for adapting and evolving the program.
On the other hand, the level of complexity of the facade elements, including the relationship between them and the primary structure (thermal bridges), offers very few possibilities for bringing the building up to standard. An analysis of various possible scenarios for insulating the existing facades (from the outside and from the inside), together with specific consideration of the possibility of replacing the exterior joinery, led us to conclude that it was unavoidable to replace all the facades.
The new facades are composed of continuous elements (curtain walls). This solution provides a perfect solution to all thermal and long-term performance issues.