DE VENNING | Projects

46

DE VENNING

Kortrijk

A neighborhood committed to quality of life and the future.

In Kortrijk, there is a strong commitment to social housing: affordable housing that is also energy-efficient, healthy, and low-maintenance. The social housing agency Goedkope Woning took the lead in 2009 with a large-scale renovation project that garnered international attention. Their proposal was selected for the prestigious European Concerto grants for innovative and sustainable urban development.

Under the project name Eco-Life, Goedkope Woning is joining forces with, among others, BURO II & ARCHI+I, Ghent University (UGent), Eco-power, evr-Architecten, e-ster, and the city of Kortrijk. Partners from Denmark and Lithuania are also part of this European partnership.

2015 4063 Sociale woonwijk Venning Kortrijk c Gerald Van Rafelghem
2013 4063 Sociale woonwijk Venning Kortrijk c Gerald Van Rafelghem 2

Project information

Project
Project
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Location
Location
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Client
Client
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Architect
Construction Team
Construction Team
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Interior
Services, EPB, Veico
Services, EPB, Veico
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Program
Program

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The delighted are pleased with flattery, as if they were those who provide for what lies ahead.

Gross floor area
Gross floor area
2,932 m²
Timing
Timing
None

De Venning: A Climate-Friendly Neighborhood Setting an Example for Flanders

De Venning is being completely redeveloped into a carbon-neutral neighborhood where energy efficiency and the circular use of materials take center stage. The apartment buildings will be equipped with rooftop solar panels and connected to a collective heating network powered by biomass. At the same time, there is a strong focus on green spaces in the neighborhood and on creating conditions that foster social interaction and a sense of community.

Design Focused on Neighborly Interaction

In the first construction phase, 70 apartments and 12 “kangaroo” homes will be built. The complex consists of four separate buildings situated above a shared (semi-)underground parking garage with direct elevator access. The compact, sun-oriented residential units are designed to maximize natural light.

Each home has a front door along an open gallery that serves as a neighborhood street. No more than ten homes share the same circulation space, so residents quickly get to know one another and don’t get lost in anonymous hallways. Circulation takes place largely outdoors and under cover, which promotes a lively atmosphere and safety.

The ground-floor homes will have their own small gardens, and the upper-floor apartments will feature south-facing terraces. A communal courtyard garden with orchards will be created between the buildings—a place that invites people to meet and relax

Sustainability Monitor as a Quality Compass

To keep the ambitions on track, a sustainability monitor was developed in collaboration with evr-Architecten. This tool assesses both the current situation and the objectives for the revitalized neighborhood: from energy and water management to mobility, health, accessibility, and lifecycle costs. The monitor serves as a roadmap for systematically raising the sustainability level of Goedkope Woning’s entire housing portfolio—both today and in the future.

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