Den Travoo. Hoeilaart, Belgium
29 private and 12 social dwellings In the centre of Hoeilaart
Open competition for PPP organised by the municipality
The existing architecture, heterogeneous in style and typologies, has partially disrupted the historical identity of the village. The incomplete perimeter and lack of structure in the interior of the urban block participate to the poor appearance of the site. Compared to the rest of Flanders, the current building fabric of Hoeilaart shows a low density. Consequently the project aims at densifying the building block while respecting the original identity of the village. Through this densification, the existing fragmented space will turn into a qualitative and coherent whole. Closing and redefining the perimeter of the block will help reinforce this central area of the village. At the same time the impact of the densification is limited: the volumes are kept low and compact, and don’t disturb the sight lines of local residents.
The project’s volumetry relates in a contemporary way to both historical and local urban qualities. The volumes, articulated with gable roofs, refer to the historical greenhouses of Hoeilaart, the Flemish town-square as well as to the archetype of the dwelling. A wide variety of typologies offers a qualitative range of dwellings. With no visible difference between social and free-market housing, stigmatization is avoided. Inside, the highly efficient origami roof structure built with low-cost simple timber elements creates a rich spatiality. The outdoor space is designed as an extension of the bicycle and pedestrian network, while the inner green area is designed as a water garden referring to a historical stream.
client: PPP - Gemeente Hoeilaart, Jan van Ruusbroecpark, 1560 Hoeilaart, BE and Van Roey Vastgoed, Sint-Lenaartsesteenweg 7, 2310 Rijkevorsel, BE
team: T. Boogaerts, H. Bosteels, L. Bown, M. Lefeber, M. Pocuch, T. Rigby, M. Steel Lebre, A. Sümeghy, M. Van Rossen, M. Valério structural eng.: STABO
technical eng.: STABO
landscaping architect: Avantgarden
surface: 6.132 m² gross
budget: 6.500.000 euro excl. vat and fees
timing: competition design 2010 | completion 2014
status: completed
