ArchShowcase Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Station Rancour: holiday homes in renovated former carriages in Belgium by sabine schweigertFebruary 28th, 2014 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: sabine schweigert Two carriages of the M2 train, which until 1990 regularly hauled passengers along the Belgian railway network, can now be found inside “Station Racour” (Belgium). Skilfully renovated and refurbished, while at the same time adhering to the styles, colours and finishes of the original structure, today the carriages take on a new role as two four-star holiday homes, each of approximately 60 square metres and accommodating a maximum of six people.
The carriages offer guests exclusive rooms based on originality and attention to detail. NovaBell played a leading role in this exciting renovation project, supplying and tiling all the floors. With EcoDream, a collection of porcelain stoneware flooring created by applying HD digital technology, the tiles are “painted in wood”, bringing warmth and cosiness to any room. The name of the collection, EcoDream, arose from its nature-inspired style and from its participation in the “NovaBell ecosystem” program. The program combines porcelain stoneware products in the interests of sustainable development, intended as the safeguarding of the environment, health and safety. Thanks to its extreme shade variation, the result is vivid and natural, the colours faithful and the grain almost palpable. The slabs are available in the formats 15×90 and 22.5×90 cm and in chestnut tones – perfect for replicating a typical wooden floorboard arrangement. They are used for nature and ecology-inspired kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and living areas, and are enriched with all the virtues of porcelain stoneware surfaces. The exteriors of the carriages in the Station Racour project have been sandblasted and repainted in their original colours: yellow and green. The door and the entrance have been modernized while the remaining room has been completely dismantled, insulated and finished off with new internal walls. A heat pump warms and cools the holiday homes so that they can be used in any season. The continuity evoked by the use of the same flooring in all the rooms is also backed up by the way the spaces open up. From the original entrance – which as in traditional trains is found next to the bathrooms – the living area is reached by passing through a kitchen skilfully equipped with an induction stove, combination oven and dishwasher (as well as all the basic features, naturally). The original train parts that have been placed in the midst of this environment are of particular importance. Their positions and the extraordinary ambience that they recreate capture attention, making the space unusual, unique and striking. To go into detail, here you can find two original benches with a restored overhead luggage rack. The first one has been placed alongside the table, providing seating for the dining area. The second, positioned back to back with the first, has become part of the living area, which is equipped with a television set and DVD player. Continuing down the length of the carriage towards the end, you’ll come across the first sleeping area, made up of a bedroom for four people, with two single beds and a bunk bed, and a small bathroom with washbasin and shower stall adjoining the room. Another bedroom is located at the back of the carriage, this time containing a double bed, and also flanked by a bathroom with washbasin and shower stall. The carriage houses a maximum of six guests. Contact sabine schweigert
Tags: Belgium Categories: holiday home, Renovation |