HISTORY

The v.z.w. Het Gouden Anker wants to dedicate special attention to elderly skippers. Therefore, they set up a housing project that consists of service flats and a rest and care home with a service centre. The link with the familiar environment, i.e., water, is established at the ‘Kempisch Dock’, in the so-called ‘Eilandje’ district. The address, Binnenvaartstraat, can be translated as ‘inland navigation street’. 

URBAN DEVELOPMENT

‘Het eilandje’ is a development site aimed at expanding the Antwerp city centre. The town council appointed a ‘Project Group Eilandje’ that had to develop a master plan for the area. Our project was developed in close consultation with the ‘Eilandje’. As one of the first realizations it will set the standard for all following projects and was praised as such by the Antwerp Master Architect.

ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT

The building blocks that are typical for this site formed the grid for the concept. The design is a compact volume that is built on a surface of 50 by 50 metres with 5 building layers. It has a modular structure with regular rooms as well as assisted living flats. Thanks to cuts in the volume, both light and air are brought into the inside spaces, creating a sense of transparency. The boundaries between inside and outside become unclear and the relation between the two is often surprising. The modular volumes also allow every building layer to be split up into two independent parts.

SUSTAINABLE BUILDING

1) Concept:
- Focus on usability - Suited and adaptable for senior citizens who are able to live independently as well as for elderly people in need of professional care.
– Efficient in use for both residents and nursing personnel.
- Inviting environment for visitors and for social contacts.
- Integrated in the city’s structure.
- Efficient energy management plan

2) Low maintenance:
The materials that were used are very low maintenance. The materials inside have been chosen in function of the specific use and optimized in function of maintenance.

3) Energy friendly technologies:
- Natural cooling is sufficient thanks to the orientation, awning and construction concept.

HOMELINESS VERSUS FUNCTIONALITY

A high covered patio, meeting place or ‘grand café’ is situated on the ground floor. The use of the large multifunctional space on the ground floor constantly changes. Next to the aforementioned functions, this space can also be used as a prayer room, a function room, for group therapy, etc. The three floors above it have assisted living flats and rest home rooms. The luxury flats are situated on the fourth floor around a roof garden. The large terraces, the proximity of water and the panoramic view on the city give the residents a strong sense of security and homeliness.

STABILITY

The stability concept was strongly influenced by the budget that was available. The designers opted for a concrete skeleton in combination with a traditional façade. The partition walls between the rooms were executed as preslab walls.