Dierendonckblancke Architecten . photos: © Filip Dujardin
In an open polder landscape, a typical subdivision develops along a trafficked road. A sturdy building volume attracts the at tention amid the many detached single family homes. The architecture of this furniture showroom with annexed dwelling tries to find a balance between fitting into the (mostly residential) environment, and commercial visibility.
The volume occupies the full building footprint, using every available square meter. Four stories are stacked, each in a different way, around a central shaft with staircase and freight elevator. The ground floor has a glass façade on all sides for maximum visibility. On this level, the street façade with main entrance is pushed back to the building line, creating a covered space for parking and generating a soft transition between indoors and outdoors. At the rear, a spacious terrace and swimming pool showcases the outdoor furniture.
The closed underground level is partly storage space and partly showroom for bulky items.
The showroom continues on the first floor, where it appears as a closed box with large windows, offering monumental views on the nearby polders. The top floor is cross-shaped and houses the shop owner’s private dwelling. The open corners in-between the bars become ample outdoor terraces.
The structural concept of the building is based on optimal spaciousness. The client required an open plan on every storey, both for commercial and private reasons. The three commercial stories are made of in-situ concrete bearing from façade to shaft, hence allowing the required open floor plan. The residential upper level is a light timber construction.
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Program furniture showroom with dwelling
Location Oostduinkerke, Belgium
Architect Dierendonckblancke architecten
Completed 2016
