04
Maple & Mint
SHORTDiscreet new neighbors in the historic streetscape
The present design qualitatively relates to that special streetscape in scale, architectural detail, materialization and zoning. The town hall of Square 13/13A is restored to its former glory by demolishing the (less qualitative) annexes. The former appurtenances of the school will also be demolished.
A volume will be added to the existing townhouse - whose façade will be preserved in white decorative plaster - for supporting functions and vertical circulation. In this way, the ornamental floor and stairwell can remain free of major interventions. The townhouse and extension will be converted into 4 residential units and an office and multipurpose room, together christened "Maple.
The architecture of the two slender and massive new buildings on the Square in Kortrijk is subordinate, without much embellishment. It forms a neutral canvas for the historical environment and takes elements from it, translated to today.
A varied and vertical percellation was worked out, in terms of dimensions in unity with the existing situation. The use of "shutters" in the slender, vertically oriented facades refers to the shutters found in many historic buildings in the (wider) surroundings. These contemporary variants offer privacy and shelter from wind and weather, but also provide a classic vertical articulation relative to the storey height. They also define the simple appearance of the facade.
With the quiet integration of "Maple" and "Mint" on the site, the north side of this green urban park is seeded and further greened. Building density will be more than halved, from 63% to 30.7% of the total site, with the courtyard garden as a new green lung for the city. Green will also be applied to the roofs and terraces.
Location
On the project site at Square 13 and 13A, there is a stately 1822 building on the left, converted from two separate houses into one mansion in 1911. To the right are unprotected school buildings, once added as extensions to the adjacent Guldensporen College, which was listed in 2003.
Because some of the protected school buildings - which are not part of the project site - stand directly along the street, the streetscape takes on a strong three-dimensional character that differs from the traditional, contiguous residential fabric.
This monumental presence is reinforced by the interaction between the volumes facing the street and the buildings behind. In contrast, the left side of the site has a more typical residential appearance, which includes Square 13 and 13A.
Situation
On the project site at Square 13 and 13A, there is a stately building dating from 1822 on the left. In 1911 it was converted from two separate houses into one mansion. To the right are non-monumental school buildings, originally added as an extension to the adjacent Guldensporen College, which was designated a protected monument and urban heritage site in 2003.
Because some of the protected school buildings - which are not part of the project site - stand directly along the street, the streetscape takes on a distinct three-dimensional character that differs from the traditional, continuous residential facade.
This monumental density is reinforced by the interaction between the volumes facing the street and the buildings behind. The left side of the site has a more typical residential appearance, which includes Square 13 and 13A.
Architectural choices
The architecture of the two slender but robust new construction volumes is deliberately restrained, with minimal ornamentation. They form a neutral canvas for the historic environment and contain selected elements reinterpreted in a contemporary manner.
A varied and vertical plot structure has been developed, with dimensions tailored to the existing context. The use of "shutters" in the slender, vertically oriented facades references the shutters found on many historic buildings in the wider area. These contemporary interpretations provide privacy and protection from the elements while creating a classic vertical rhythm in relation to the storey heights. They also play an important role in defining the subdued look of the facades.
With the quiet integration of 'Maple' and 'Mint' on the site, the northern edge of this urban green park is opened up and further enriched with greenery. The building area is more than halved, from 63% to 30.7% of the total site area, with the courtyard garden becoming a new green lung for the city. Greenery is also incorporated on the roofs and terraces.
