Article source: Studio Associato Bernardo Secchi – Paola Viganò

De Hoge Rielen is a place for civic and ecological education in the 300-hectare forest of a former military base. The O-shaped “Hostel Wadi” encircles part of the pine forest, retained as a memento of a disappearing artificial landscape that is rapidly transforming into broad leaf vegetation. A circular, ever variable winter garden towards the pine forest acts as a space of appropriation and continuity between interior and exterior, between groups and the individual. The architecture explores relationships and shared space: the enjoyment of the view occurs on a collective terrain.

Image Courtesy © Frederik Buyckx, Hostel Wadi, from the roof garden

• Architects: Studio Associato Bernardo Secchi – Paola Viganò
• Project: Hostel Wadi in Hoge Rielen
• Location: Kasterlee, BELGIUM
• Photography: Frederik Buyckx
• Design Team: Studio Bernardo Secchi & Paola Viganò (Uberto degli Uberti, Günter Pusch, Wim Wambecq, Kasumi Yoshida) with: Dirk Jaspaert (BAS), Dries Beys (ARA), Bruno Depré (IRS)
• Client: Flemish Government, AFM
• Surface Area: 952 m2, 20 rooms (76 beds)
• Year completed: 2013

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