Neighbourly living

  • Project:

    Ransbeekstraat

  • Client:

    City of Brussels - Grondregie

  • Projectcode:

    1305RAN

  • Designer:

    LAVA architecten

  • Site:

    Ransbeekstraat, Brussel

  • Structural engineering:

    AB Associates

  • Technical systems:

    AE+ Engineering

  • Landscape:

    Arshorti

  • Contractor:

    Franki / Willemen groep

  • Photographer:

    Nicolas Da Silva Lucas

This passive complex for 42 dwellings for the elderly settles on and in the green slope of Neder-Over-Heembeek and connects the canal with the residential fabric. The new construction guides the scale transition and slanted terrain by connecting 3 floors to the residential area at the top of the plateau. At the bottom of the slope, the 5-storey complex positions itself opposite the industrial buildings. It is here, where there’s also the entrance to the underground garage.

The oversized circulation and arrangement of the dwellings around the versatile (community) pavilion turn the whole project into a dynamic village on the edge of the plateau. This plateau functions as a fordable garden that ends with a belvedere that looks out over the canal zone. The north and east-facing inner streets on each floor are flanked by a curtain wall over the entire height of the building: with a play of closed panels, figured and clear glass, it animates the atmosphere. By filling 33% of the surface of the curtain wall with filling panels, the passive standard is achieved.

Together with the versatile pavilion, the airy and light passages organize the individual/community life. In addition to the individual front door, each kitchen has an internal window that looks out onto the inner street. This stimulates social interaction and ensures cohesion. Moreover, this window makes sure that natural light can reach throughout the whole unit. The individual apartments are organized between this inner street and the individual terraces on the south and west facades with a generous view of the surroundings.

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