Recommending party
The project has been submitted by: OLIVIER FOURNEAU Architects
LOCATION
Country: Belgium
City: Dison
Address:
–
AUTHOR
Designer or design team architects:
OLIVIER FOURNEAU Architects
DETAILS
Plot Area: 315 mq
Gross Area: 673 mq
Of which residential: 95% Public/communal areas: 5% Facilities for the public: -% Business/trade: -% Offices: 2%
Number of residential units: 4 Typology of users: families Total building costs Euros: 525.000 Building Cost = Total Bulding Cost / Gross Area: 780 €/ mq Floor area ratio = Gross Area / Plot Area: 2,13 mq Work started on date: 2004 Work completion date: 2007
OWNERSHIP
Promoter: Fonds du Logement des familles nombreuses de Wallonie Owner: Fonds du Logement des familles nombreuses de Wallonie Allotment rule:
Reduction cost percentage compared to the market value:
– assignement: 15%
– rent: %
Description of the project:
PROGRAMME / FUNCTIONS
The client’s brief was clear: renovate and extend a 19th century merchant’s house into two dwellings for large families (6 to 9 inhabitants per dwelling).
The site, located at the angle of a street and a square, was partly unbuilt and was used as a parking lot.
We therefore suggested to build two additional dwellings in order to densify the angle of the lot but also in order to offer private views and spaces at the back. The client has been seduced by this idea, as it also would better the economic balance of the project.
URBAN CONTEXT / DESIGN APPROACH
As the street was built mostly with 19th century traditional brick houses, we used the volumes, vocabulary and chromatics which we were in presence in order to finish the existing street.
At the angle, by following the alignment, we obtained a larger façade, facing the square, which we treated in a more abstract way, giving it a totemic presence.
A suspended volume serves as a link between the two typologies in presence but also creates a porch for 3 of the four dwellings.
ENVIRONMENTAL & ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
The project, located in a well-connected area of the city, is compact and dense. Glass surfaces are reduced and well oriented. Each unit has therefore low energy needs.
Public areas are reduced to a minimum, in order to minimize conflicts and maintenance costs.
Materials are simple and durable, needing little or no maintenance at all.
Each dwelling has its own energy supply, allowing them to adapt the system to their needs.
Budget wise, the average cost of a dwelling (130.000 €) has to be paired with its unusual size (160mq, 3 to four bedrooms).
