Academie

Public heritage

A former art academy was transformed into a sustainable, high-end co-housing project with communal facilities.

Awards

Renaat Braemprijs, public jury award - 2024

Status

completed - 2021

Location

Turnhout

Surface

4.950 m²

Client

Heem

Team

Stéphanie Collier, Evert Crols, Emilie Dorekens, Dirk Engelen, Sven Grooten, Karol Grygolec, Lennert Hermans, Lisa Van Com

Press

Its beautiful façade and the layout of the historical and partially listed buildings were preserved where applicable, but at the same time the ensemble was thoroughly rethought and modernised. And since in this case, the style of cohabitation is described as ‘soft co-housing’, there was an aim to ensure each loft or flat had a private terrace or garden.

To meet this requirement, the building located at the back of the site, which had no historical value, was demolished, and replaced by new constructions that connect to a symmetrical main building with an inner courtyard. Underneath the residential units, mainly located on the upper floors, there is space for offices, or communal workplaces with kitchenettes. The collective character of the complex is further expanded with communal recreation areas, and shared electric cars and bicycles.

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