Collegium: the past unites with the present

By Editorial Staff - 31 August 2023

In the historical center of Zottegem, Belgium, the area occupied by the former OLV Deinsbekecollege – college of our Lady of Deinsbeke – had fallen into a grave state of neglect. The complex, which is so large that it occupies an entire urban block, was built in a Neo-Gothic style towards the end of the 19^th century. The discontinuation of its scholastic functions, later followed by a devastating fire in 2012, had left a great urban void that strongly called for a redevelopment project.

The occasion arrived in 2017 when the Vanhout real estate group bought the lot and what remained of the school, entrusting both the recovery of the existing building and the design of a new residential complex to Studio Farris Architects.

Giuseppe Farris and his team acted in two main directions: preserve the masonry dating back to the Neo-Gothic period, of which only portions on two adjacent sides of the lot remained after the fire, and design new buildings for residential use to close the courtyard, integrating the old and new architecture and creating a hub of urban life to be used both by public and private. Thus, while the two sides on the front street have the old red-brick façade with Neo-Gothic features, the back of the courtyard was closed by a system of modern and contemporary buildings, arranged according to a series of stepped terracing, which allows each apartment to have habitable terraces.

A new hub of urban life

Collegium, Studio Farris Architects ©Martino Pietropoli, courtesy of Studio Farris Architects

In total, 65 apartments were created in the complex, all featuring an expansive exterior. Each apartment is extremely unique and personalized, equipped with terraces and large windows that enjoy views of the city. The new buildings have geometric and contemporary lines – the purity of these forms is highlighted by the white of the plaster, the great windows, and the transparency of the crystal parapets.

The complex has two faces – the more public one looks toward the street through a great arch that opens on the historical façade, giving access to the interior courtyard. The more intimate one, closed in on itself, allows residents to enjoy their outdoor space to the fullest.

On the side opposite the arch, a pedestrian entrance provides access to the interior courtyard, which encloses a small park and offices on the ground floor of the building. In this way, a new urbanity is created that fosters the civic dimension and a sense of belonging both for residents and citizens.

Sustainability all around

Collegium, Studio Farris Architects ©Martino Pietropoli, courtesy of Studio Farris Architects

Sustainability was one of the guiding criteria in the choices made by Studio Farris Architects, which interpreted the concept in a holistic sense, beyond the adopted technical solutions.

The project promotes urban and environmental quality, through the expansive use of green and outdoor spaces. A substantial thermic insulation system made of mineral wool, a more recyclable alternative to other insulation systems, was chosen to improve the energy performance of the buildings. The project also utilizes solutions that recycle natural resources, such as rainwater capture.

Finally, attention was paid also to the natural ecosystem, which survives even in a city environment. The brick façade has small cracks that allow the passage of birds, in addition to providing a protected nesting place, sheltering them from the weather and risks that a city poses for wildlife.

>>> Read about Red Church, a redevelopment project of a Lutheran church

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