Renovation SHP Flemish Ardennes

This complete refurbishment of the offices of the Housing Association Flemish Ardennes replaces an outdated layout with a warm, thoughtfully designed and inclusive working environment. As part of this vision, a new entrance pavilion was also designed.

The housing association commissioned us to modernise its office building in order to improve both its public services and internal operations.

The existing building consists of office spaces on the ground floor, with three upper levels containing social housing apartments. Its architecture is characterised by the interplay between the horizontal articulation of the ground-floor plinth and the vertical composition of the façade materials on the upper levels. The building is crowned with distinctive curved zinc roofs.

The renovation focused on the ground-floor offices, where optimising the use of space was key to creating an accessible and welcoming reception area for visitors. The redesign has resulted in a contemporary and inspiring workplace that supports both staff and visitors.

A central design ambition was to strengthen the relationship between the interior and exterior. The architectural gesture introduced by the new reception desk continues seamlessly outdoors in the form of a curved planter, guiding visitors from the public realm towards the entrance.

The original entrance canopy provided little emphasis on the building’s public function. It was therefore completely replaced by a new entrance structure that is intrinsically connected to the organic form of the planter.

The curved planter winds through the inviting new entrance and continues into the reception desk, forming one continuous sculptural furniture element. This naturally guides visitors towards the spacious reception area.

The structural columns at the entrance extend rhythmically into the various public reception spaces, creating a clear and intuitive circulation route for visitors.

A large central U-shaped circulation spine connects the offices of the different departments, a series of flexible meeting rooms, and the staff break areas of the housing company.

The organisation’s signature green colour, combined with light timber bespoke furniture and partition walls featuring horizontal timber slats, creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere for visitors while providing an enjoyable and comfortable working environment for employees.

The entrance is extensively glazed, with carefully refined detailing that minimises the visual presence of the window frames. Finally, the new roof and canopy continue in a graceful curved form, echoing the distinctive arched roof profiles of the apartment building above.