Grootkapel

On the rolling landscape of a former farmer’s field, today enclosed by suburban development, a new care and recreation centre for the elderly is taking form. The plan is articulated in such a way as to leave breathing space between the new building and the surrounding urban fabric while realizing the necessary programme for a community with a growing need for such facilities. Its form articulates and frames a new park, the façade analogous to a kind of populated garden wall. At the point where the building meets the public domain, it opens up formally and functionally, making a link between the world of the residents and the broader community – a place to meet, which is something the area doesn’t have at present. On a smaller scale, the residents’ windows are designed to be as inhabitable as possible – acting as a piece of furniture as well as offering a window onto the world.


  • Location

    Beersel, Belgium

  • Client

    QALY Development

  • Construction

    2014 - 2016

  • 51N4E project team

    Freek Persyn, Johan Anrys, Jan Opdekamp, Jan Haerens, Marta Petrov, Andri Haflidason

  • 51N4E involvement

    Full Process

  • Consultant

    Probis Consulting

  • Structural engineer

    ALL-INgeneering

  • Technical engineer

    Istema

  • Acoustical engineer

    De Fonseca

  • Landscape

    Land9, Aldrik Heirman

  • Built surface

    10.880 m²

  • Photography

    Filip Dujardin

  • Image credits

    51N4E