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Workhouse De Scheepvaart

Workhouse De Scheepvaart
© Allard van der Hoek

WORKHOUSE DE SCHEEPVAART

Hub

ARCHITECTS
Hub

PROJECT YEAR
2006

AREA
2375.0 m²

LOCATION
Schoten, Belgium

CATEGORY
Workshop

Text description provided by architect.

The workhouse is part of a complex situated alongside the canal which has a very original and distinct character thanks to its special typology and materialisation.

Unlike traditional industrial ‘boxes’, the workhouse’s programmatic mix is rather peculiar: it includes a garage, workshops, offices. and a caretaker’s.

Workhouse De Scheepvaart
© Allard van der Hoek
Workhouse De Scheepvaart
© Allard van der Hoek

As a starting point for dealing with the resulting contextual, financial and programmatic constraints, the brief was carefully analysed.

The proposed budget was very limited and was therefore a determining factor in the chosen design strategy.

By integrating the storage area within the overall volume, the workhouse is literally leant more substance, sparing the site from random storage.

Workhouse De Scheepvaart
© Allard van der Hoek
Workhouse De Scheepvaart
© Allard van der Hoek
Workhouse De Scheepvaart
© Allard van der Hoek

The requested fence around the area ‘shrinks”, as protection, up against the inexpensive EPDM shell of the building.

Instead of choosing a standard height for the building, a differentiating profile was chosen in line with the divergent functions and their respective requirements.

The side of the building made way for a more sculptural treatment, boosting the building’s expressive character while linking the exterior to the main functional areas. The result of these interventions is a building with a strong identity which retains the open character of the surrounding landscape

Workhouse De Scheepvaart
© Allard van der Hoek


Workhouse De Scheepvaart
© Allard van der Hoek
Workhouse De Scheepvaart
© Allard van der Hoek


Workhouse De Scheepvaart
Floor Plan
Workhouse De Scheepvaart
Floor Plan


Workhouse De Scheepvaart
Section
Workhouse De Scheepvaart
Diagram


Workhouse De Scheepvaart
Site plan

Hub
T +32 3 2813129
Hub
Rijnkaai 22, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium