COMPETITION

In 1996 the public social welfare centre of Waregem organized an ideas competition for the future development of its properties on the fringe of the city.

The objective was to draw up a master plan outlining a vision on the evolution of the housing and other services organized by the public social welfare centre. Concentration and rationality were primordial here. At urban planning level, the special planning scheme for the city centre of Waregem and the plans of the intermunicipal company Leiedal had to be taken into account.

Eventually, the plans submitted by eight architect's firms were assessed. The plan of Luyten & Lens was chosen because of the clear urban planning approach of a concentrated constellation of residential units.

VISION

The Residential and Care centre, and more specifically the section with the assisted living flats, named De Varent, has been set up by the Waregem public social welfare centre. Its aim is to provide adapted living facilities to senior citizens irrespective of their philosophical, ethical, cultural and political convictions or their financial situation.

De Varent wishes to be a home for healthy senior citizens as well as elderly people requiring care, where they can reside, live, are cared for and can die. The residents can expect to be guided by the management and the employees in each of these stages.

URBAN PLANNING

Following from the urban density, it was opted to integrate the existing building with its 5 floors in the urban fabric. By subtly manipulating the land and creating paths through the site, a link is made with the urban fabric. Based on the real needs, a new wing was built for the rest-home, as well as a volume with assisted living facilities.
The precise implantation and high density mean that further developments are possible at a later stage.

De Varent also wants to be a home for younger people, who require care. They can expect to be tended to and supervised within the boundaries of the medical, nursing and psycho-social tasks of a rest and care home.

The public social welfare centre wanted to bring about the concentration of four institutions, which have each been functioning with a high level of autonomy and independently of one another for quite some time, with this project. Each of the institution’s visions was quite diverse, as a result of the specific needs of the residents. Part of the assignment was to condense this in one project, which respected the diverse care profile of each of the residents. 

HOMELINESS

To accommodate a large concentration of residents in function of the ground surface in a homely entity was the major challenge posed by the De Varent project.

Homeliness of scale
The building has six levels. In order to limit the large-scale aspect of such a volume, we decided to use incisions and interruptions in the volumes. Various materials also create a sense of variety. The building is virtually lowered by the first-floor entrance by means of the broad esplanade.

Homeliness of materials.
An exceptional feature in this project is the use of wood flooring (laminate) in the rooms. This was a conscious choice on behalf of the board. Wood is a relatively fragile material, yet the homely feel of parquet is unparalleled. Since the decision was made, however, the number of incontinent residents has increased considerably. That is why a high-quality imitation in PVC will be used in a second phase.

Homeliness of space distribution
In this project too clear atmosphere zones have been designed: public, living or semi-public and intimate. The resident has to be able to choose the extent of intimacy that he wishes to experience, much like in his own home.

Homeliness of the furniture used.
A conscious choice was made not to use so-called “project furniture".