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CONSTRUCTIS DEINZE
Deinze....
Along the Kouter in Deinze stands a contemporary office building that has been carefully integrated into a sloping lot. The design was originally conceived as a cohesive ensemble comprising an office and an accompanying model home, with the office to be freestanding on the left side of the lot and the model home on the right. Only the office was built, but the original layout remains evident in the spatial design: the open space between the two volumes was intended to form a green, inviting zone that connects the buildings both visually and functionally.
The result is an office that subtly takes advantage of the site’s slope, has a warm and inviting appearance, and offers a strong sense of space. Although the model home was not built, the original layout remains evident as a concept in the open, green space surrounding the building and contributes to a coherent and harmonious ensemble within the small-scale context.
Project information
The office floor is designed as an open-plan space that supports the ideal working environment for employees. Workspaces, meeting rooms, and support functions are strategically positioned around a central circulation area, offering both clarity and flexibility. This layout creates a seamless relationship between zones for focused work, collaboration, and social interaction. The open character of the floors, combined with the large windows, ensures optimal natural light and a transparent, inviting atmosphere.
The sloping site is a defining element in the spatial experience of the building. The difference in elevation is subtly utilized to visually anchor the base and the office volume, while the open and light-filled work floors and the varying floor depths create a sense of dynamism and transparency. The green roof on the top floor and the accompanying terrace strengthen the connection to the outdoors and provide a pleasant environment for relaxation and interaction.
The office building rests on a semi-sunken parking podium that provides convenient accessibility and allows light and air to enter through openings along the building’s perimeter. The wide entrance at the front naturally welcomes visitors. The exterior walls of the plinth are constructed of concrete, while the interior walls feature a sleek aluminum finish, giving the building a modern and robust foundation.
Above this plinth rises the office volume, with a first floor that occupies the majority of the building and a subtly recessed second floor. The facades combine large window openings with deeper aluminum frames that create an elegant interplay of light and shadow. The masonry displays a calm rhythm of vertical and horizontal patterns, lending a timeless and balanced appearance, enhanced by the understated yet recognizable company logo on the front facade.
Surrounding the office building, green buffers and hedges along the property lines ensure harmonious integration into the small-scale context. The design emphasizes a balance between functional efficiency and spatial quality, with the building clearly distinguishing itself as a contemporary office while at the same time respectfully engaging with the scale of its surroundings.
