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DE VENNING
KortrijkA 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 collaboration.
Project information
| Project |
Project
dolorem nemo |
|---|---|
| Location |
Location
There is no greater sorrow than the troubles of life. Unless I can explain it properly |
| Client |
Client
nulla laudantium |
| Architect |
Architect
Markland (member of Link Lab)
|
| Construction Team |
Construction Team
nulla laudantium |
| Interior |
Interior
Stay Studio (member of Link Lab)
|
| Services, EPB, Veico |
Services, EPB, Veico
nulla laudantium |
| Program |
Program All duties are accompanied by some pain. It is the pleasure of the corrupt. They are right, and it is our duty to assume the softness of things. The body’s pleasure flees from the slightest pain. The ways of assuming are distinct. Truly, the corrupt and the chosen. |
| 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 CO₂-neutral neighborhood where energy efficiency and the circular use of materials take center stage. The apartment buildings will have solar panels on their roofs and will be 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 with a focus on neighborly interaction
In the first construction phase, 70 apartments and 12 “kangaroo” homes will be built. The complex consists of four separate buildings 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.
