This housing project has for ambition to revitalise this unwealthy part of the Namur district.
Just like the project “De Citadel”, of Christian de Portzamparc in Almere, BAEB wants to give the ground space to the public. It seems the good approach in this part of the city were housing is lined by stroll public spaces. In the same spirit, commercial area was added to the program.
BAEB wants to divide the project in two parts, with a commercial area but still keeping the residential dimension. The access of the apartments is placed on the main façade between commercial spaces. Houses are another part of housing, and access is possible by a back passageway.
The whole idea of this project is to create a commercial street where people can go shopping, go for a walk in the park, go for a stroll, have a drink or simply because they live there. This project is thought like a place where anything can happen.
The Belgian climate is the same of a lot of northwest European countries. It’s maritime temperate with significant precipitation in all seasons. Sunny days are not current (enough). But still people love to have their outdoor spaces. That is the reason why it is important for BAEB to make sure every inhabitant gets to enjoy as much nice weather they can get.
Each house has a little garden on the roof of the commercial spaces and every apartment has an outdoor terrace in which it’s possible to place summer furniture (like a chair, a table…).