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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. West Side Residence in Knokke-Heist, Belgium by De Baes ArchitectsJanuary 19th, 2023 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: De Baes Architects Turning a crumbling structure into a high-performing and sustainable residential building that saves 72,000kWh of electricity a year. More than half a century after a construction boom replaced the ornate Belle Epoque homes along Kokke’s coastline, the area is now filled with outdated, functionalist structures nearing the end of their lifespans. The West Side Residence was one such example. This post-war structure of little architectural value was crumbling and either needed to be repaired or demolished and replaced. The problem was deciding which. Some owners wanted to keep their apartments, while others wanted new, up-to-date homes.  Image Courtesy © Frans Parthesius
 Image Courtesy © Frans Parthesius To reconcile between the two camps those who wanted a new building and those who wanted to maintain their apartments we developed a scheme that renovated the existing structures and offered residents a choice to opt-in for interior renewals. Sustainable reuse Demolishing and rebuilding a structure comes at a tremendous cost to the environment, so we were determined to find ways to maintain the existing building. We stripped the building to its structural bones and refaced it with a high-performing envelope that exceeds current sustainability standards. The renovation incorporates energy-efficient facade systems that improve performance and match the visual quality of a new construction, while saving over 72,000kWh of energy each year. At every step, we found opportunities to reuse materials and structural elements from the existing building, saving time and minimizing emissions in the process.  Image Courtesy © Frans Parthesius  Image Courtesy © Frans Parthesius New into old Our renovation injects new life into the old structure. We designed a shimmering building skin that refreshes the face of the residence and visually links it with the colourful plaza, the sky, and the ocean. The faceted facade creates a play of light and reflection, bringing a sense of dynamism to the building’s face. The design maximizes glass exposure to open up views over the Knokke landscape and bring in as much natural light as possible, minimizing energy demands. The faceted faces of the facade elements cut away pieces that would block the path of the sun or sightlines, enhancing the sense of connection between the interiors and the plaza, ocean, and sky.  Image Courtesy © Frans Parthesius  Image Courtesy © Frans Parthesius  Image Courtesy © Frans Parthesius  Image Courtesy © Frans Parthesius  Image Courtesy © Frans Parthesius  Image Courtesy © De Baes Architects  Image Courtesy © De Baes Architects  Image Courtesy © De Baes Architects  Image Courtesy © De Baes Architects  Image Courtesy © De Baes Architects
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Tags: Belgium, Knokke-Heist Categories: Apartments, Building, House, Housing Development, Residential |
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