Reconstruction of the Tower at College Saint-Amand

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Project Details

• Project Name: Reconstruction of the Tower at College Saint-Amand
• Client: Van Roey - Koramic.
• Project Type: Housing tower
• Principal Designer/s: Philippe Samyn
• Design Team: Partner in charge: L. Gestels; Associates: M. Franssens, G. Stevens, Th. Vandeweyer, D. Debougnoux.
• Date of commencement of project: June 2008
• Location of site: Courtai, Belgium
• Site Area: 8.4 ha
• Built-up Area: 4,147 sqm of renovation; 13,227 sqm of new construction

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Words from the architect

The College Saint-Amand site is located inside Courtrai's inner ring road, on the banks of the river Lys. The current school buildings vary in appearance as they were constructed at different times.

The tower was built in 1960 to house a boarding school; its podium houses additional educational facilities. As the tower at the College no longer fulfils market requirements, the Courtrai Urban Development Board has launched a competition for its redevelopment.

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According to a study carried out by Leiedal, the external fabric of the tower will have to be completely removed during renovation. Only the load-bearing structure will be able to be conserved, along with the central stairwell which contributes to the building's stability.

In theory, it will be possible to have three apartments on each floor. In this case, the building's reduced depth would, however, lead to considerably less space being available for circulation.

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The ceiling height, which would be too low, would also pose problems. The low height could be partially off-set by creating open spaces and double height ceilings, in the living areas, for example. Duplex apartments could also be used. However, these types of apartments are more difficult to sell.

This is why, after an in-depth analysis, an initial decision was taken to build a new tower occupying the current tower's site.

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As apartments high up are very desirable, the tower would get wider as it increases in height. Form would then really follow function. The building would be entered by two long, slightly sloping ramps, leading to a spacious, transparent entrance hall. The podium would be divided into semi-detached houses and the car park would be on the ground floor.

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There are, however, a few obstacles to this proposed project, the most significant of which is the tower's site. From an urban planning point of view, it does not make sense to construct the new tower on the current tower's site, as it would cast a shadow on the school buildings behind it.

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This problem could be partially off-set by inclining the tower backwards slightly, or by shaping the back of the tower into an elliptical shape. In both of these cases, the separation between the educational and residential areas is not totally resolved. The financial benefit intended to enable College Saint-Amand to provide for its future is also not maximised.

It has therefore been decided to build a new tower to the east of the current tower podium, next to parc Albert. As the podium is in very good condition, the educational facilities will be maintained there so that they are not obliged to undergo the inconvenience of moving. Four storeys of the existing tower will also be preserved.

Image, courtesy the architect.

Image, courtesy the architect.

This new site resolves the problems mentioned earlier. Furthermore, the new residential tower will reinforce the imposing podium, and the tower's position at the edge of parc Albert will round off the whole built area logically.

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The tower will face east-west. In this way, the view over the river Lys will be exploited to the maximum, whilst the historic centre will be visible from the south side. From the town, the tower will have a slender and elegant appearance.

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The suggested layout for the tower interior is flexible. It is possible to plan for two, three or four apartments per floor. If duplex apartments are used, the options will be even wider.

The apartments will have terraces, alternated with double height ceilings. There are magnificent views from the terraces and windows. To improve the temperature regulation on the terraces, the tower will be covered with glass louvers.

The facades will be covered with white beech, and can be decorated with works of art. These temporary exhibitions will link in with the exhibitions visible on the neighbouring island of Buda. The tower will therefore become a showcase for art and design in Courtrai.

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In order to be able to provide enough parking spaces, the car park will be in the basement.

The construction of a new footbridge over the river Lys is the perfect opportunity to re-landscape parc Albert.

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A large park will be created. It will connect the various buildings surrounding it and can be compared to the "village greens" found in many English towns. To provide some life and animation, several sports grounds will be created, and a cycle lane and footpath will also be included. Parc Albert will be linked to the neighbouring parks of the town of Courtrai by cycle lanes and footpaths, and will thus be incorporated into a wider urban project.

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Incidentally, it has also been suggested that College Saint-Amand could be moved to the neighbouring Saint-Martin hospital in the future, as it is currently vacant and awaiting reallocation. The hospital's rigid structure would, in fact, be perfect for use as a school. In this case, the College Saint-Amand site could be transformed into housing in the beguinage style [traditional Flemish courtyards surrounded by small dwellings].

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The project aims to provide an appropriate response to the renovation of the College tower and to offer College Saint-Amand new options for the future.

Image, courtesy the architect.

Credits

• Text, Philippe Samyn and Partners