Under one roof
In the 1960s, a small park just outside Leuven was transformed into a residential area. Next to the parks pond, a generous villa, designed by architect Vranckx, was build for a doctor and his big family. The original estate is now considered overly large and two young families converted it into a small-scale cohousing.
Due to the unusual typology of two identical pavilions connected by a glazed entrance, the building was perfectly fit for a simple division. The aim was to create a small scale cohousing, combining two pleasant homes within an overall design. They exude one atmosphere and are in tune with one another, each with its own accents and orientation.
Only the steel frame, wooden roof beams, and supporting floors remained after demolition, leaving an empty canvas. The biggest challenge as architects lay in preserving the original character despite the major energetic renovation. The choice of materials was essential here. The steel structure was exposed in the interior, while beautiful wooden acoustic panels and small interior elements of the original 1960s design were consciously recycled.
The layout of the pavilions is fully symmetric. The common entrance hall leads to an open hallway giving access to the bedrooms and living quarters. The compact bedrooms act as a buffer between the street. The living spaces connect to the surrounding lush greenery. To ensure a sense of spaciousness, various compact volumes are placed in the open plan. They act as separate objects that barely touch the ceiling, allowing glimpses throughout the home.
