SUMMER
STUDIO PAPER #3
#3 - JULY 2016
VERVIERS Verviers • HERKENRODE KAZERNE Hasselt• GALLERY Hasselt • CITY HALL HASSELT Hasselt • PHARMACY BREE Bree • BECKHOFF Lummen • POLYGON Hasselt • HUDSON HOTEL New York
The NEWSPAPER edition
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CONTENTS UAU COLLECTIV
MASTERPLAN
STORY & NEWS
VERVIERS
4/9
10/13
HEALTH
INTERIOR
PHARMACY BREE
28/31
BECKHOFF
32/35
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RESIDENTIAL
RETAIL/LEISSURE
CULTURAL/PUBLIC
HERKENRODE KAZERNE
14/21
GALLERY
22/23
CITY HALL HASSELT
INSTALLATIONS
INSTALLATIONS
POLYGON
INTERNATIONAL
POLYGON
HUDSON HOTEL
36/37
38/39
24/27
40/43
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STORY At the end of 2014 the 3 architectural firms MASSarchitects (Massimo Pignanelli, Hasselt), DAR architects (Joris Diliën, Houthalen) and SAQ architects (Frederik Vaes, Brussels) decided to unite their complementary creativity and experiences and to work together as one firm. Today this association is a fact. Michel Janssens was attracted to shape the association and will join us as CFO to set the lines of ‘UAU’collectiv.
The new offices are located at the Blauwe Boulevard in Hasselt. In total 15 architects will be working there. The three architectural associations have a long experience in different domains, and join forces in order to be able to respond to clients’ demands more quickly and in a customised manner, as well as to be able to cope with larger projects and to raise the general quality to an even higher level.
Massimo Pignanelli is strongly anchored in Hasselt. Various projects by his hand are known in the city centre of Hasselt. Massimo has always focused on wide-ranging design disciplines, where various levels are addressed and internal-external feedback is indispensable. In this way he has already created numerous villas, catering, loft and retail projects and interiors with an iconic serene look, inside and outside Limburg. The intention is to further explore this diversity within the new collective.
The merger of both these dynamics, combined with Joris Diliën’s years of expertise and knowledge, makes the ‘UAU’collectiv a new and adept partner in Limburg’s architectural world. Joris shaped numerous large-scale residential and retail projects in an urban context in a cooperation with leading partners in terms of project development. One of his most recent projects are the buildings on the outer ring road of Hasselt, where Krëfel is located.
Frederik Vaes is an internationally oriented architect, who has proven himself through the Bikini Berlin project. The last couple of years Frederik has been able to focus on various leisure and retail projects in capital cities such as London, New York and Brussels. His strategic vision and specialised experience provide the new collective with an extra dimension.
The fourth ‘leg’ in the association is Michel Janssens, trained in marketing and accountancy. For 15 years he has worked for renowned multinationals in sales positions. In 2010 he focussed on the guidance of liberal professions, on a financial as well as a corporate level. Michel forms the backbone of the new collective and will provide the necessary peace and quiet within the continuous stream of creative processes.
MASS
MASSIMO PIGNANELLI
ARCHITECTS MASS
architects
bv
bvba
meldertstraat 30 bus 6 | 3500 hasselt | belgië info@massarchitects.be w w w . m a s s a r c h i t e c t s . b e t 0032 11 74 93 29 | t 0032 11 96 94 12 m 0032 477 84 55 06 | btw be 0837 095 944 3352 5465the | BE15 0688 9922 9130 AtBE18 the 7370 end of 2014 3 architectural firms MASSarchitects (Massimo Pignanelli, Hasselt), DAR architects (Joris Diliën, Houthalen) and SAQ architects (Frederik Vaes, Brussels) decided to unite their complementary creativity and experiences and to work together as one firm.
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MASSIMO PIGNANELLI architect . partner • FREDERIK VAES architect . partner • JORIS DILIËN architect . partner • MICHEL JANSSENS CFO . partner
The three architectural associations have a long experience in different domains.
The new office is located on the Kempische Kaai, number 7, on the top two floors; an inspiring environment, with views over the channel up to the Nijverheidskaai.
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“Because of the expansion we can work with more corporate discipline, complement and strengthen each other, so that the end result, of any project, be it big or small, will only get better.”
The new offices are located at the Blauwe Boulevard in Hasselt. In total 15 architects will be working there.
“A building has to be strong and radiate power.” (building design by Lens°Ass architecten)
Etymology: Hebrew, ‘vav’ Romance, transl. ENG: ‘wow’ ‘world of wonders’, exclamation of surprise UAU is a palindrome that radiates power; it indicates the power & passion that the different disciplines bring together in 1 collective.
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ABOUT ABOUT Romance, transl. ENG: ‘wow’ Etymology: Hebrew, ‘vav’ ‘world of wonders’, exclamation of surprise ‘UAU’-WORLD OF WONDERS The name of the new association is ‘UAU’collectiv, pronounced as ‘WOW’. It has a Romance origin, and is an exclamation of surprise. UAU is a palindrome that radiates power; it indicates the power & passion that the different disciplines bring together in 1 collective. The three architectural associations have a long experience in different domains, and join forces in order to be able to respond to clients’ demands more quickly and in a customised manner, as well as to be able to cope with larger projects and to raise the general quality to an even higher level. EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT “For us the new collective has to become a creative platform and thinktank. We want to make flexible buildings for government, companies as well as private individuals. Commercial projects deserve an upgrade as well. A building has to be strong and radiate power. The collective allows us to work in a solid organisation, where everyone receives recognition, freedom and respect, and can fully develop. The purpose is complementarity: each architect will have the same approach and contact with his clients as before. For them, little will change. But because of the expansion we can work with more corporate discipline, complement and strengthen each other, so that the end result, of any project, be it big or small, will only get better.”
The new office is located on the Kempische Kaai, number 7, on the top two floors; an inspiring environment, with views over the channel up to the Nijverheidskaai. The reception of clients and contacts will happen in an original manner, where everyone will immediately feel ‘at home’. (building design by Lens°Ass architecten)
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BABY PRESENTS
WHAT’S NEW?
NUIT LUXE DE
UPDATE WEBSITE
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LUNCH
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The specific location is taken into account, which inspired to orientate the houses around a large green inner area.
The new public square.
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Master planning
VERVIERS Location Status
Verviers, Belgium Ongoing
L’ île Adam is a project in which a former cotton bleachery, together with the surrounding grounds, is completely transformed and revalued into a living area that will accommodate almost 300 sustainable living units. An urban expansion project for young and old, around a new and unique public place. The district “L’île Adam” is situated on the territory of the city of Verviers. The project site is located in a bend of the E42/A27, one kilometre away from the city centre of Verviers. It is, after all, without a doubt one of the most important entrances to the city. The project is undertaken in 2 different stages. The development of a residential area follows after the construction of a new appealing public square of 4.000 m2. The final result is an ecological and sustainable residential area with mixed housing types where living, working, recreation and relaxation form a whole. What makes the proposal unique, is the fact that its specific location is taken into account, which inspired to orientate the houses around a large green inner area referring to its original name. The proposal transcends the rather classical way of parcelling out in building blocks with streets and courtyards.
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Bird eye view of the site of the complex.
The final result is an ecological and sustainable residential area with mixed housing types.
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Residential
HERKENRODE KAZERNE Location Status
Hasselt, Belgium Ongoing
The Herkenrode site is located in the centre of the city of Hasselt. The site first served as a military domain and was later set up as a zone for governmental functions of the Federal government. The city of Hasselt sold this site through a sales process for a global repurposing within the context of the inner-city development of Hasselt. The construction team has designed the architecture of the buildings along the outskirts with respect for the historical context of the inner city of Hasselt. A varied and sustainable living project is realised through which various target groups in the inner city of Hasselt can be connected. The client wishes to create a family friendly environment. The design of the very green and car-free courtyard offers a secure playing area for children of the surrounding houses. It is a peaceful green oasis where residents and visitors can relax. The intricate network though the centre draws a subtle line between the ‘garden area’ and the urban paved square at the buildings of the Uhasselt. The design of the public area also provides possibilities for the current hotel and catering establishment De Refuge to have a terrace in the inner area. This location is an informal meeting place for both the resident, the student, the professor/lecturer, and the visitor of the city.
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The use of materials is sober yet carefully and lovingly detailed and with warm accents. The individual buildings are realised by various offices in order to ensure the necessary differentiation, matching with the historical inner city. Between the offices clear agreements were made concerning materialisation so as to still realise a clear whole fitting to the historical character of this magnificent site. The plan is developed as a whole. The flexible layout of the buildings creates the possibility to offer a suitable accommodation tailored to the specific desires of the various residents (families, single-parent families, blended families, singles...).
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Sustainably building starts with a well-considered, future-proof urban development plan. An arrangement of houses that generates very compact volumes with a favourable exposure to the sun is a first prerequisite. Further, the open architecture with a lot of daylight and large terraces in a green environment contributes to the human well-being. Designing highly flexible floor-plans doesn’t merely allow for a wide variety of typologies, it also offers possibilities for repurposing in the future. The multitude of typologies basically shows that the floor-plans are almost function-neutral. Wear-resistant materials that age nicely were chosen (sustainability = preciousness = reuse). In detailing the buildings a clear distinction of construction, installations and interior will be taken into account, so that these can be replaced or redeveloped independently of the various age cycles.
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The project site is located within the center of Hasselt.
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The inner courtyard is a peaceful green oasis where residents and visitors can relax.
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GALLERY Location Status
Hasselt, Belgium Ongoing
The inner city of Hasselt shows a sequence of interesting squares, places and gardens. The new city hall with adjacent Limburg square therefore is an important development as a valuable link within a coherent network of public functions. The direct connection of the Limburg square to Inno and Gallery Albert strengthens the veined urban tissue of Hasselt. In addition, the reconstruction of the Grand Place improves the accessibility of the routes between the squares and the public functions. The hotel and catering industry gets a new impulse here to bring more life to the centre. Between these two new developments Gallery De Ware Vrienden forms an important connection. In the inner city of Hasselt, after all, it provides an important pass-through between the Sint-Jozefstraat and the Grand Place. The last couple of years, however, the gallery is confronted with problems of vacancy despite the high volume of footfall that can be observed. By defining the project area Gallery De Ware Vrienden the accessibility of the city centre of Hasselt is maximised. The underground car park is maintained, just like the two head buildings at the Grand Place and Sint-Jozefstraat. These head buildings, the historic property at the Grand Place and apartments at Sint-Jozefstraat will be renovated and receive an update to the current standard. Furthermore the area in-between will give way for an outdoor area that forms a new street, as it was. A street that is returned to the city with an open and green character that functions as a link between the Grand Place, Sint-Jozefstraat and Guffenslaan. Alongside a commercial plinth, which extends over 2 levels, the area can be explored. The upper floors are in function of contemporary living in the city and focus on the diversity of target groups. Living above a commercial property increases the safety in the city and offers a solution to the known problems of vacancy. In addition, the properties in the Koning Albertstraat benefit from the new developments as well and are given a face on two sides. By linking different functions to these places and their outskirts, their diverse use is advanced. With these developments a new trendy junction is created in the inner city of Hasselt as a meeting place for the inhabitant of the city.
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The concept of creating a green outdoor connection between Grand Place and the new city hall.
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Visualisation of the streetscape around the city hall.
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CITY HALL HASSELT Location Status
Hasselt, Belgium Ongoing
Lately the activity on the site of the old Gendarme barracks has gradually increased. In the spring of 2015 the archaeological investigation took place and in the second half of that year the construction works were launched. On 13 November 2015 the city council and the OCMW together gave the official starting signal for the construction of a new city hall. In the first half of 2016 the digging and dumping works of the cellar took place. The second half of this year one floor will be finished every month in order to respect the predetermined timing of the construction of the new city hall. By means of the construction site’s camera a new aerial photo of the site is made on a regular basis so that everyone can follow the works (www.stadhuis 2018.be).
Current state of the construction site.
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Visualisation of the ground floor of Hasselt’s new city hall.
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Public area on the ground floor.
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Health
PHARMACY BREE Location Status
Bree, Belgium Completed 2015
The parallel-shaped plot with an accessibility on two sides and the programme of demands gave rise to a concept where the basic volume on the ground floor has an oblong orientation and thus creates a connection, so to speak, between the two adjacent roads. At the road a floor is created with a shape referring to the parallel-shaped plot. The outside walls are rationally designed on a grid of 3x3 m, which generates an increased readability of the building and leaves room for placing accents within the same structure by means of a varying use of materials. In this grid negative volumes, window openings and materials will be played with. This produces an innovative and fascinating, yet non-intrusive, architectural image that integrates effortlessly in the environment. The programme comprises a commercial pharmacy that, because of the axial functioning, gets a face on two sides. The two-headed faรงades of the building open up towards the street scene. Accessibility and visibility are maximally utilised. The non-public section of the professional practice is located on basement level. A patio on this level provides the possibility to create agreeable work and meeting rooms with daylight and an external view. On the ground floor, located on the western faรงade, a first apartment can be found, accessible through its own entrance on the west faรงade. The living area of this apartment has a free plan and opens to a green patio at the rear. A second apartment comprises the entire upper floor and can be accessed by an internal staircase in the private entrance on the ground floor, accessible through the covered entrance at the faรงade. Here, too, orientation around a private, partly enclosed terrace creates a large openness in the living area with preservation of privacy.
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Details of the interior design.
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Interior
BECKHOFF
Location Status
Lummen, Belgium Completed 2016
For its new offices Beckhoff found a suitable business property near the Lummen interchange. In this office area the automation company puts its knowledge of home automation and technology into practice and shows how its many solutions in automation work. The new surface area of Beckhoff is a result of clever design in which the characteristic concrete ribbed ceiling particularly attracts the attention. The open space of 600m2 was filled with spacious and pleasant offices for the employees. Additionally, the box-in-box-principle was used for the testing room, meeting room, training room and sanitation. The lighting system consists of highly economical LEDs that further emphasise the ribbed ceiling. The light system largely determines the atmosphere in the building because of the various colours that are possible. The ventilation ducts are placed in sight between the ribs, but for the rest the computer floor ensures that the smartest technologies are hidden from view. The white/black-concept creates a light unity with strong details.
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The white/black-concept creates a light unity with strong details.
Concrete ribbed ceiling particularly grabs attention.
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The atmosphere is determined by the light system used in the interior.
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Smart technologies are hidden from the observer’s view.
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Installations
POLYGON Location Status
Hasselt, Belgium Completed
At the time when UAU collectiv moved into its office at Kanaalkom, internally an office desk and a conference table were designed. For the office desk an optimal shape was sought where every employee has a workspace of 1.80m at his or her disposal. A pentagonal shape was created with a central area where the PCs are placed at the bottom and with a transit for the cables in the table top covered with a wooden tablet where plants can be placed. Around this table 6 employees can work with sufficient space for working documents and where the contact with colleagues is optimised because the lines of sight cross each other. That same pentagonal table lends itself perfectly as a conference table, as one can choose a certain corner of the table depending on the number of interlocutors. In total 20 people can sit comfortably at the table. Furthermore, the table opens towards a possible projection screen at the head of the table. With the conference set-up the middle area can be used as planter. Apart from an office desk and conference table, later on another variant was designed as a bar table at Peppe’s. It isn’t only used here for drinks, since at other times of the day it is also used for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The central herb container reflects the atmosphere of Peppe’s culinary concept.
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Interior of the restaurant.
The shape of the table allows its use for various functions.
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International
HUDSON HOTEL Location Status
New York, VS Completed
Continuing the concept of the Hudson Hotel to create ‘an exciting urban adventure that provides a unique experience’ UAU collective proposes a stunning intervention of the Hudson Cafeteria. The former library of the American Women’s Association Clubhouse and Residence for Young Women in New York will be reinterpreted in a fresh yet delicate way. The Hudson Hall is a meeting place, not only for hotel guests. The interior concept is a tool which adapts to the mood and setting of every event. Video clips are curated from local and international artists, so the installation has no start or end but is part of a continuum, projected on a layered surface of wood, canvas and paint.
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The interior concept is a tool which adapts to the mood and setting of every event.
© STUDIO PAPER #3 Edition July 2016 Author: UAU Collectiv www.uaucollectiv.com kempische kaai 7b5 3500 hasselt belgium koloniënstraat 56b6 1000 brussel belgium t +32 11 80 09 40 t +32 11 74 93 29