On the outskirts of Zandhoven, near the Willeboorden nature reserve, stands a heritage-listed complex known as ‘De Blokskens’. It consists of a row of workers’ cottages and a parallel shed, both dating from 1842, but long neglected. The design provides for three new ‘blokskens’ that seek to emulate the sober architecture of the old buildings in size and scale. The new volumes stand at a slight angle to one another. An informal alternation of hedges and walls results in an intimate ensemble with diagonal vistas of the nature reserve. The architecture of the new dwellings is a local interpretation of the idiom of the heritage buildings. Saddle roof, dormer window and ridge crest together form a consistent triad that helps new and old to merge into a collective residential community: ‘Buurschap de Blokskens’.
Project
:
Buurschap de Blokskens
Location
:
Zandhoven (B)
Design
:
2008 - 2017
Status
:
Built
Client
:
CV de Zonnige Kempen
Photography
:
Karin Borghouts