Workshop

Workshop
© Maxime Delvaux
Workshop
© Maxime Delvaux

 Workshop

AURELIE HACHEZ ARCHITECTE

STABILITY ENGINEERING
Alter Ingénieurs

CONTRACTOR / ENTERPRISE
Alter Abita

PHOTOGRAPHS
Maxime Delvaux

AREA
90 M²

YEAR
2013

LOCATION
Belgium

CATEGORY
Houses

This shoemaker’s workshop located in the countryside near Louvain-la-Neuve was converted into a single family home.

Workshop
© Maxime Delvaux
Workshop
© Maxime Delvaux

Built in 1950, the central building was supplemented over the years with annexes to the west and the east.

This wooden building made of bits and pieces has the appearance of a “homemade woodstock cottage”.

Workshop
© Maxime Delvaux
Workshop
© Maxime Delvaux

On the contrary, the whole house is semi-buried and leans against a sturdy supporting brick wall conferring a sense of stability to the construction.

Originally covered with coating, this wall was exposed during the renovation to valorize its constructive character.

Following a fire in 2012, the roof had to be rebuilt. Despite limited budget, the goal was to make the most of the house’s volumes.

Workshop
© Maxime Delvaux
Workshop
© Maxime Delvaux
Workshop
© Maxime Delvaux

The rooftop was slightly heightened and original elements of the framework were removed to restore the importance of the central space as a «foyer».

The night time spaces were organized in the annexes flanking this large central volume. In the west, the lobby and the garage were also lowered by 60cm to add a floor under the roof.

Its reduced height makes this space including a bedroom and a music room cozy and flexible. To the east, two other bedrooms were placed, one with a mezzanine.

Workshop
© Maxime Delvaux
Workshop
© Maxime Delvaux
Workshop
© Maxime Delvaux
Workshop
© Maxime Delvaux
Workshop
© Maxime Delvaux
Workshop
© Maxime Delvaux
Workshop
© Maxime Delvaux


Workshop
Axonometric
Workshop
Axonometric


Workshop
Floor Plan
Workshop
Floor Plan
Workshop
Site Plan


Workshop
Detail
Workshop
Section
Workshop
Section