Porcheresse | Label Architecture

Our project for a carecentre for children is located in the rural area of Porcheresse. This verdant and remote area, situated between the woods, fields and streams of the Condroz, offers exceptional qualities for the reception of young people with autism spectrum disorder. The competition itself called for a separate pavilion to be built next to the existing centre. However, in order to preserve as much as possible of the beautiful domain, we proposed to blend the added programme into the existing building by means of two extensions. These take the form of two semicircles and round off the existing building, establishing a narrow connection with the park.

Extension and existing building benefit from each other. The addition of a belvedere and two wide ramps make each unit accessible at ground level. By incorporating the elevators into the new wings, the existing building becomes entirely accessible. By manipulating and strengthening elements such as the cornice and the plinth, the existing aesthetic qualities are enhanced and prolonged. In this way, the whole rises above the sum of its separate parts.

Photos by Stijn Bollaert