Architectum 8 (2007)

Building Value

arc hi t e c t u m

February 2007 | edition 8 | International Magazine Koramic Clay Roof Tiles

Clay Roof Tiles

arch i te c tum publisher Wienerberger AG editorial staff Christian Van Thuyne (Belgium), Isabelle Bevernage (Belgium), Pekka Porkanen (Estonia), Anne-Raphaële Porcherot (France), Laëtitia Deviterne (France), Heidemarie Lange (Germany), Geert Kamps (Holland), Willeke Sloesen (Holland), Monika Sikorska (Poland), Franz Kolnerberger (Export), Sabine Merlevede (Export), Stefan Claeys (Corporate) editor Roger Sng (Asia), Staf Bellens (Belgium), Ene Läkk (Estonia), Jean-Pierre Cousin (France), Gerard Halama (Germany), Tom de Vries (Holland), Caroline C. Kruit (Holland), Per Ivar Ødegaard (Norway), Andrzej Stolarczyk (Poland), Sarah Jackson (United Kingdom), Tim Spillane (United States) photography Chu Ngee Heng (Asia), Peter Verplancke (Belgium), Aivo Kallas (Estonia), Laurent Cheviet (France), Mathieu Ducros (France), Gerard Halama (Germany), Hubaer Kusters (Holland), Michał Skorupski (Poland) Nigel Linton (United Kingdom), IMAGE photos AS – Atle Johnsen (Norway) co-ordination & realization Raphaela Schüller Stefan Claeys design & prepress Ikaros Communications (Belgium) press Deckers Druk (Belgium) editorial office Wienerberger Export Division Ter Bede Business Center B-8500 Kortrijk +32 (0) 56 26 43 31 +32 (0) 56 26 43 32 info@koramic-rooftiles.com www.koramic.com This magazine from

appears in Dutch, English, German, French and Polish.

ARCHITECTUM is distributed in Belgium, Holland, Luxemburg, France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates, United States, Japan and Singapore.

Dear Reader,

A warm welcome to the eighth edition, featuring a further collection of projects to help inspire new ideas for creative roof design using Koramic clay roof tiles.

Different concepts and styles of modern architecture next to successful renovation projects are presented and explained in this Architectum. You will discover all kinds of applications: from vertical wall cladding to curved roofs – everything is possible with our large range of roof tiles and fittings!

Koramic is an international brand and therefore we also want to have a look to countries outside of Western Europe: We have two very interesting projects in Asia and Northern Europe.

The first one brings us to Singapore with an amazing concept of setting individual houses on the top of skyscrapers in Singapore.

And the second project shows us typical colourful Norwegian houses with glazed roof tiles in the countryside near Oslo.

Enjoy your reading!

Franz Kolnerberger Export Sales Manager

Highlights 4 6 3

8 5

7 1 2

1

CHARM OLD AND NEW

> p06-07

5

BLACK CLAY ROOF TILES ADD QUALITY AND ELEGANCE

> p22-23

> p14-16

6

FLOWING FORM

> p26-27

30 homes in Beemster Polder

2

THE IDEAL BLEND of past and present

3 4

friendly for all Earth’s inhabitants

CLAY ROOF TILE CREATES UNITY IN VARIETY

> p17-19

RED GABLE ROOF

> p20-21

7

SANDCASTLE

> p30-31

moored in the dunes

8

and Mondriaan magic

ARCHED ROOFS define distinctive identity

3

> p34-35

[Belgium]

GREEN LOCATION in TOWN light and sight on wide front

> 4

Living in the centre of town with a view of unspoilt farmland: that was

blend seamlessly with the design concept and colour palette.

the dream that architect Dirk Moerman made come true. But, even more

And to reduce ‘disruptive’’ details to a minimum, the architect

than that, thanks to a sober yet subtle design, he succeeded in introdu-

concealed the rainwater drainpipes in the inside walls.

cing natural light and stunning views into every room of his house cum architect’s office.

Craftsmanship is the key The architect: “Roofer Wim Seynaeve did a great job. It’s no

The minimalist concept resulted from the orientation and the view. The west-

coincidence that he’s currently passing on his skills to young

facing front elevation catches the sunlight, while the garden façade offers a

roofers. The whole secret lies in the preparation. To achieve

grand panorama of untouched farmland. A truly unique location right in the

such a perfect result, you have to start out from as flat a base

centre of the town of Izegem in West-Flanders.

as possible.“

Architect Dirk Moerman combined light and sight in his design. The house is

“I work mainly with Koramic products. You can have complete

thirty metres long but only 8.3 metres wide. Thanks to these proportions, every

confidence in their quality and choose from a wide range, in

room gets its fair share of views and daylight. Large areas of glass in the long

which there’s something for everyone. And you can always

façades enhance the effect while outside sun-blinds protect the interior from

count on first-rate support and a well-constructed and user-

the fierce summer sun.

friendly website”, said the roofer.

A natural choice The choice of materials consists mainly of natural options in timeless colours: bluestone, cedar wood and clay roof tiles. The use of solar energy for producing

Project

House with architect’s office, Izegem (Belgium)

Client

Mr and Mrs Moerman-Pattijn

Architect

Architectenburo Dirk Moerman, Izegem

finished with a silicone-based dun-coloured plaster. The projecting parts - the

Roofing contractor

Dakwerken Seynaeve, Izegem

front entrance, a small extension to the sitting area and a covered terrace at the

Clay roof tile

sanitary hot water fits in with the same philosophy. The outside walls are

Koramic Pottelberg Plain Tile 301 smooth, braised blue

rear – are given a distinctive character by robust cedar frames. This wood is also used for the sloping eaves.

Pottelberg Plain Tile 301 The large roof areas, uninterrupted except for the central-heating and fireplace chimneys, are covered with braised blue clay roof tiles. The two straight slopes

5

[The Netherlands]

>

CHARM OLD and NEW 30 homes in Beemster Polder

A charming residential project on the edge of the village of Midden-

Past, present, future

beemster mixes classic and modern features. The village lies at the heart

Although the project design makes many references to the tra-

of the historic Beemster Polder, the oldest area of reclaimed land in The

ditional surroundings, it also features many modern solutions,

Netherlands, which has remained untouched for some four hundred years

details and materials such as glass, wood and steel. The front

and has now been declared an Unesco World Heritage Site.

and rear façades have large openings so that the apartments face two ways. These features and the largely communal

The project design fits in perfectly with the historic polder landscape and envi-

garden create an agreeable outside ambience that encourages

ronment of the Beemster Polder, but also uses modern architectural insights.

social contact.

In the 30 rental apartments designed by George Polman at AG architects in Haarlem, there are numerous references to the heritage surroundings. In line

The apartments are intended for starters and restarters,

with the existing town and country planning, it was opted for two strips of buil-

who can make maximum use of their design-driven social

ding, which round off the Groene Poort development scheme. In contrast to

possibilities. In addition, these homes will grow old gracefully

nearby single-family homes, the two-storey scheme consists of one-floor apart-

with their tenants and can ultimately be easily converted into

2

ments, each with a surface area of 95 m and two spacious bedrooms.

sheltered accommodation.

‘Haystack’ with clay roof tiles Features of the historic past can be found not only in the plan’s layout but also

Project

in its execution. For example, the stairwell, which serves the apartments on the first floor and can be retrofitted with a lift, is built in the style of a traditional square ridge-roofed haystack. This special feature alludes to Beemster’s agrarian past and typical cheese-cover farmhouses.

30 rental apartments in Middenbeemster (The Netherlands)

Client

Bouwcompagnie, Hoorn

Design

AG Architecten, Haarlem

Project architect

George Polman

Main contractor

Building Company Buitenhuis bv, Landsmeer

Koramic Narvik Alegra

Roofing contractor

Gebr. Schaap, ’s Graveland

The overall impression is further enhanced by the use of clay roof tiles on all the

Clay roof tile

Koramic Narvik Alegra, natural red

long façades. The clay roof tile selected was Koramic’s Narvik Alegra natural red, which was also employed to cover the pitched roofs of the two blocks and the flat gables. The latter again allude to the open landscape, and their crisscross design echoes the well-ordered polder grid and village roads.

7

[Germany]

>

TWO-TONE CLAY ROOF TILE crowns Rosengarten Congress Centre

Two-tone roofs are rare in Germany. Such a covering once decorated the

Ridge and attic tile perfection

Rosengarten Congress Centre in Mannheim. Today the roof has been

With such a geometrically high roof tile like the E28S, it is

magnificently restored to its original Art Nouveau splendour thanks to a

difficult to solve ridge, dormer and attic joints by using lead

specially made two-tone Eisenberg monastery clay roof tile E28S and a

or copper, because of the considerable differences in height

number of ingenious technical solutions.

between and the upper and lower tiles. Consequently, special connecting tiles were made, and technically exact and elegant

The Rosengarten Congress Centre is one of Mannheim’s finest buildings but

joints were achieved on the ridges. Depending on the pitch,

was extensively destroyed during the war. Only a few original roof tiles remained

two kinds of connecting tiles were used, with different inclined

intact and they therefore were used as examples for restoration of the main roof.

ridge supports.

Koramic succeeded in faithfully reproducing the complex geometry of the roof tile and its partial glazing.

Monk and nun tiles ideal The monk part of the cloister tile E28S was green glazed and

Two-tone monk and nun tile covering

the nun part was natural red. Roof ridges in the same colours

The monastery clay tile E28S was specially developed for this restoration and

were applied on the batwing dormers. Left and right hand

features the monk part in green glazed and the nun part in natural red. In

verge tiles and double bead tiles were made for the five large

addition, special shaped roof tiles had to be made for covering the large

barrel dormers.

batwing dormers on the upper roof.

Barrel dormer challenge Covering the five large barrel dormers in the mansard roof proved particularly difficult. Originally, left hand verge tiles were supplied for this purpose and the

Project

Total roof restoration of the Rosengarten Congress Centre, Mannheim (Germany)

Client

water drained off properly as planned on the right-hand side of the dormers. But

Mannheimer Kongress und Touristik GmbH, Mannheim

on the left-hand side, the water ran against the crease, causing damage. Finally,

Architect

Karl Schmucker + Partner, Mannheim

the dormer surfaces were completely demolished, straightened and covered

Roofing contractor

AWO Dachbau GmbH, Ladenburg

with copper.

Clay roof tile

Koramic Eisenberg E28S, green glazed and natural red

When it came to the covering of the main roof, Koramic accepted the challenge and developed special left and right hand verge tiles.

9

NATURAL QUALITY in ranch-style single-family home [Poland]

> 10

A house should be built to last, and so high-quality materials should be

Clay roof tile tradition

selected for appearance and durability. So the more right decisions are

The roof is always the part of a building that is the decisive

made when building starts, the less additional costs and problems will be

factor that defines its beauty and aesthetic image. It was the

encountered in later years. That was precisely the course of action taken

application of Koramic Beaver clay roof tiles that ensured the

for a new house in the Warmia region of North Poland.

house’s exceptionally attractive appearance. And, importantly, its charm enables it to blend into the Warmia region landscape

The choice of location is of first and foremost importance for anyone wishing to

as a continuation of the historic tradition of covering roofs with

build the perfect house. In this case, the owner decided on his home region of

“karpiówka” (fish-scale) clay roof tiles.

Warmia, much loved for its large lakes and expanses of woodlands. “The main aim was to optimally merge the solid volume of the house into its surroundings

Workmanship wins

and create an impression of the interior intertwining with the exterior”, says

The owners sums up: “The architect’s and contractors ad-

architect Anna Mikulska Bak.

vice was right on target. So the building is distinguished by excellent workmanship and careful selection of natural mate-

Ranch-style distinction

rials, which created a unique harmony between the house’s

The large size of the plot enabled the building to be divided into a formal en-

architecture and its natural environment and generated space

trance and private quarters designated for rest and relaxation, protecting the

where life is good.”

privacy of the occupants and opening up to the surrounding woods. The client and architect agreed on the design. The result is a traditional, ranch-style house with a distinctive sloping roof and large eaves, creating a beautiful line and a loft partially adapted for living space.

Project

New single-family house in Mazuria (Poland)

High-quality natural materials

Architect Roofing contractor

The exceptionally beautiful natural surroundings determined the choice of materials to be used in the construction of the house. In such a natural setting it

Anna Mikulska-Bak Przedsiębiorstwo Budowlane „Skorłutowski” S.J.

Clay roof tile

was decided to employ very high-quality natural materials: stone, wood, glass, façade plastering matching the wood background, extremely beautiful natural red clay roof tiles and copper drainpipes.

11

Koramic Kunice Beaver Tile, natural red

[France]

MULTI-PURPOSE FACILITIES on listed site

>

12

Between the Jura and Mount Salève in Savoy, five communities

Roof resplendent

combined to build a crèche, a school canteen and two apartments for

The roof features pointed dormers on the street side, and skylights on the

the staff under one large roof. Because of the listed area, the development

side of the children’s playground. Moreover, the gable ends have large

was sensitive but was conceived and finished in 14 months despite bad

covered balconies for each apartment, with views towards the Jura and

weather, especially thanks to the expertise of both the architect and the

Mount Salève.

roofing contractor.

The attic of the other wing, is narrower and lower, so was not suitable for conversion into living quarters.

Architect Enri Chabal was chosen on the strength of his proposal that succeeded in skilfully meeting the programme constraints. The building had

The clearcut lines of the design are further enhanced by the expanses of

to fit in with the surroundings: a listed site around an old cross at the centre

flat Actua clay roof tiles. The valleys and the pointed dormers were treated

of ancient buildings. The architect of the buildings of France (ABF) also had to

in pre-patinated copper to accentuate the volumes and the hip-rafters were

give his opinion.

decorated with traditional studs.

Welcoming architecture

Looks and quality

The architect focused on the users’ comfort, inside and outside. For example,

The intercommunal association team insisted on its choice of modern-

he generously proportioned the gallery where the personnel and the parents

looking Actua clay roof tiles in the multiblend colour, which changes

with their children pass each other. The youngsters also use it as a covered

according to the light. The roofing contractor appreciated the quality of the

playground.

materials used; especially while laying the roof during bad weather with very cold spells.

Premises functionality Confronted with the site’s constraints, a clear architectural approach was followed and the buildings have pure uncluttered lines. First of all, the crèche

Project

Multi-purpose facilities, Neydens (France)

and the canteen were combined in one building. Then, the client team (chaired

Client

Intercommunal association

Architect

Enri Chabal, Grenoble

Roofing contractor

Didier Roux, Magland

Clay roof tile

Koramic Migeon Actua, multiblend

by Mrs Lamouille) thought the roof of the main building was rather large, so the attic was converted to apartments for the staff due to the lack of accommodation in the region.

13

[United Kingdom]

>

THE IDEAL BLEND of past and present

14

Douai Abbey is the home of a community of monks of the English Be-

Respecting history

nedictine Congregation situated between Reading and Newbury, in the

The key objective of the design brief was to ensure that these

county of Berkshire, about one hour west of London. Now the community’s

new residential properties respected the character and style of

permanent home, construction of the existing Abbey Church and the

the site’s existing historic buildings. The developer was com-

former Douai School began in 1929 and was finally completed in 1993.

mitted to architectural styles which would be ‘a natural extension of the past relying heavily on purity of design and quality of

Bewley Homes acquired the site with plans to breathe new life into this much-

materials’. Set within their own distinctive landscaped features,

loved historic landmark, with its exclusive Avalon development. This superior

these new two-, three- and four- bedroom houses are cha-

residential scheme incorporates both refurbishment of the historic school buil-

racterised by the variety of natural materials used, and blend

dings and additional new-build homes in the Abbey’s extensive grounds.

seamlessly with the stunning architectural legacy of Douai Abbey.

Landmark architecture The developer’s aim was to further enhance the environment in and around

Authenticity maximised

the site, creating a 21st century architectural landmark which would be a living

After extensive research into the best materials available to

extension of its proud past. Robert Adam Architects, an award-winning practice

transform the designs into modern homes of quality and

renowned for its historic buildings and sympathetic use of vernacular archi-

distinction, the developer selected Koramic’s Plain Tile 309

tecture to reflect local history and heritage, designed the scheme. Architects

Handcrafted “heritage medium” for all the site’s new-build

worked closely throughout with English Heritage, the UK Government body

houses. Around 250,000 Koramic clay roof tiles were supplied

responsible for preserving, promoting and protecting England’s historic built

to complete the project.

environment.

>

15

A perfect match Specialist roofing contractor Clive Evans from Crest Roofing believes that the end result is a fitting tribute to both past and present: “The existing buildings were restored using the original roof tiles. These roof tiles were up to 100 years’ old and had to be carefully removed and re-laid with new lead work. For the new build houses, finding a product that matched these original clay roof tiles presented a real challenge both in terms of appearance and price, but Koramic provided the ideal solution.”

Bewley Homes’ technical manager Brian Bradshaw was also impressed by the technical performance and aesthetic appeal of the Koramic roof tiles: “This is a truly unique development which draws on the expertise of many specialist suppliers to help us realise the dream.”

Design and performance “Every single item was scrutinised to ensure that it was the best available. We looked at a large range of clay roof tiles, but the Plain Tile 309 Handcrafted from Koramic was clearly the most appropriate. In fact, none of the others we saw came close to meeting our design or technical specification. “ “It was vital that the houses and apartments were designed to naturally blend in with the existing listed buildings. The unique weathered appearance and random finish of this roof tile created an authentic look that perfectly matched the local surroundings.”

Project

Restoration of historic Douai school and

Client

Bewley Homes

Architect

Nigel Anderson at Robert Adam Architects

new-build residential development (UK)

Roofing Contractor

Crest Roofing Ltd. Tadley, Hampshire

Clay roof tile

Koramic Bouxwiller Plain Tile 309 Handcrafted, heritage medium

16

> [The Netherlands]

Clay roof tile creates

UNITY in VARIETY Residential block Swanla situated on the edge of the Dutch village of Zevenhuizen-Moerkapelle near Rotterdam required a scale that fits in with the landscape through the use of different materials for the ground floor. Unity was achieved by covering the highly varied development with one and the same clay roof tile.

The different types of roof that cover this project were defined only later in the design process. The choice of clay roof tiles was quickly made as a reference to materials used in the village. In addition to a residence for senior citizens, the scheme also included single-family terraced houses, semidetached houses and starter homes.

17

> Linking with landscape Architect Evelien van Veen concentrated first on the arrangement of the different types of dwellings. A total of 89 residential units had to be accommodated on a plot of barely two hectares. In the urban development plan, which was elaborated jointly with Grontmij, the development is split into two islands surrounded by watercourses and thus connects with the polder landscape. The link with the landscape on the one hand and the village buildings on the other was a driving principle in the design.

Roof tiles down to scale Bringing the project under “one” roof held the different building heights and buildings volumes together, while the different roofs kept things down to scale. The roofs are covered with a slate-coloured flat roof tile, the Narvik Datura. This roof tile was also used for the façades, which facilitated variety in design and structure. Thus there are round façades at the corners of the islands, and high alternate with low façades and flat or steep roofs. In spite of the wide eaves, the architect succeeded in achieving a balance by choosing an orange-red brick.

Modern roof tile with a slight ‘kink’ Unity in diversity was the design watchword and the choice of clay bricks and roof tiles played a major role. Evelien van Veen: “The Narvik Datura is a modern flat tile with a flattening on the underside. The resulting slight “kink” on the roof surface gives a special shadow play and a “horizontality” effect, as if it was constructed of planks.” Great attention was paid to detail therefore everything fits perfectly. The façade openings were adapted to the roof tile format and it was never necessary to cut roof tiles to size.

This care is also apparent in the inner courtyards of the closed blocks. The access areas to the apartments are executed in wood and glass and create pleasant meeting places for the residents. And on the ground floor, brick garden walls bring together the widely different types of dwelling.

Project

Swanla residential estate with 89 homes and underground car park, ZevenhuizenMoerkapelle (The Netherlands)

Client

Woonpartners Midden Holland

Design

Drost + van Veen Architects, Rotterdam

Project architect

Evelien van Veen

Main contractor

Building company vd Waal, Vlaardingen

Roofing contractor

Pekadak bv, Groesbeek

Clay roof tile

Koramic Narvik Datura, slate engobe

[Belgium]

RED GABLE ROOFS and Mondriaan magic

In Kortrijk, the textile finishing company TSA, situated in the middle of

modern interpretation of the stepped-roof house. The narrow

a residential area, made way for 45 new social housing units clustered

gable-roof façades are repeated in a strict rhythm, giving an

around a grassed courtyard. Architect Filip Cnockaert’s distinctive design

ambience of overall coherence and calm.

echoes beguinages of the past and features façades that are a modern interpretation of step-roof houses.

Artistically individual Yet, every unit also stands out on its own thanks to the marked

Because the site was heavily contaminated and asbestos had been found, the

verticality of the façades, which is underlined by the striking

project involved a whole process of demolition, clean-up and construction. To

natural red colour of Koramic’s Tempest Tile 44, chosen here

steer all of this in the right direction, the commission was entrusted to one

for its excellent price/quality ratio. Every house is also given its

design firm and one main contractor. Architect’s firm Filip Cnockaert was in-

own identity as the result of a subtle, almost inconspicuous

structed that the project had to be architecturally coherent on both street sides

feature. In the façades there are six areas of toughened glass,

and around the courtyard.

painted on the back in various shades of grey. By playing with the colours of these areas, every composition is different and

Sustainability first

every house unique. An example of how Mondriaan art gave

The client insisted on “sustainability” as an additional requirement. This ex-

social housing an unexpected face.

plains the choice of brick, clay roof tiles, pre-patinated zinc, high-quality PVC windows and rainwater recycling. It was a welcome bonus that the city insisted on underground garages and was also willing to foot the additional cost.

To keep the general impression of the site as uncluttered as possible, the

Project

45 residential units and 44 underground

homes, underground garages and the garden were all given plenty of storage space. This is an ideal way of preventing unsightly proliferation of self-erected

Social housing construction project with

garages, Kortrijk (Belgium) Client

sheds.

Zuid-West-Vlaamse Sociale Huisvestingsmaatschappij, Kortrijk

Architect

Flip Cnockaert, Kortrijk

Stepped roof inspiration

Main contractor

BBC - Bekaert Building Company, Anzegem

Living around a courtyard immediately reminded architect Filip Cnockaert of

Roofing contractor

Siegfried De Croo, Marke-Kortrijk and Willy De Smet, Gavere-Asper

the beguinages of yesteryear that created enclaves in the urban landscape.

And the narrow terraced houses with their gable roofs on the other side of the

Clay roof tile

Koramic Pottelberg Tempest Tile 44, natural red

street inspired him to design a very special type of house. He even talks of a

21

>

Black clay roof tiles add

QUALITY and ELEGANCE [Norway]

Norway’s Gardermoen Airport opened in 1998 and the 40 km between

Quality guaranteed

the airport and Oslo city centre has developed rapidly with many new

In addition, the architect also stresses in conclusion that “the

businesses and housing projects. It is mostly a built-up area, where it is

30-year warranty which is applicable for all Koramic clay roof

difficult to find undeveloped land. Brånåsen at Skedsmo is situated along

tiles is an important tool and source of peace of mind for

this line about 20 km outside Oslo and is a highly popular suburb.

architects and contractors alike. It means that you can pick freely from a different product mix of models and colours in

The plan covered a two-stage development project for a residential estate that

the sure knowledge that the underlying quality and warranty

would finally comprise a total of 32 homes. Architect Sverre Berge sets out

terms are on the same high and consistent level.”

the main design objective: “I wanted to design a typical old, cosy Norwegian wooden home environment with white painted houses, black glazed tile roofs, narrow streets and playgrounds for the children. And the total environment should express a feeling of security, with each house radiating high quality and

Project

discreet elegance.”

First Narvik FD …

The architect explains that the Narvik FD with its flat profile and large roll made

Residential estate of 32 homes, Brånåsen (Norway)

Architect

Sverre Berge

Developer

Tenk Bygg AS

Contractor

Tenk Bygg AS / Horten Hus AS

Clay roof tile

the right structure on the roof. Further, he says that Dutch black glazed roof

Stage 1: Koramic Narvik FD, black glazed Stage 2: Koramic Narvik Alegra, black glazed

tiles, known as “ekte hollandsk glasert” in Norwegian, have a long history in the country and ensured that the estate would benefit from an established, quality cachet.

... and then Alegra In the meantime, before stage 2 could start, the Narvik Alegra model had been developed and was ready for the market. With the same discreetly elegant appearance and intrinsic quality as the FD, this large modern roof tile with adjustable lath distance became the perfect match for the contractor in the next and more extensive stage 2 of the project. Sverre Berge confirmed that these larger adjustable clay roof tiles were remarkably faster and easier to lay, and enabled a great deal of additional cutting to be avoided in the process.

23

> [Estonia]

MODERN MANOR in Art Nouveau style

An ideal location: Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, with wide vistas, soaring trees,

frames. The building is dominated by a curb roof covered with

a winding river and a picturesque hillside. An ambience of calm, birdsong

Koramic Migeon Vauban clay roof tiles. The outer sections of

and rippling water. When the client envisaged a romantic manor, he drew

window frames are covered with rolled copper sheet, which

th

much inspiration from the Art Nouveau style of the early 20 century, and

acquires a stylish patina over time.

the “fairy-tale setting”.

Colourfully natural The client decided to make use of the romantic greenery on a 9,000 m2 plot.

The building has a limestone base and Koramic’s handmade

There was enough space for two gardens, one in Japanese and the other in

St Johns bricks were used for the façade masonry. The walls

English style. While authentic Art Nouveau indulges in playful forms and

combine creamy rough-cast with bricks.

decorative images featuring shaped asymmetrical facades, the owner

Extensive use has been made of natural building materials, and

took plenty of liberties when adapting the Art Nouveau concept to his own

the colour palette is typically Art Nouveau, inspired by nature.

present-day needs.

While Art Nouveau architecture starts from the interior layout,

Striking symmetry

here the entire building is centred around one large room. The

The building has a rectangle shape and is symmetrical on all sides, quite unlike

open plan ground floor (including an entrance room, kitchen

classic Art Nouveau. The manor runs east to west, with the terrace and the

and a living room) is centred around the hall.

balcony facing the evening sun and nearby river. Another atypical feature is the low height of the building.

The owner suggested that the Art Nouveau inspiration for the house came from the picturesque plot, as well as his own

So what then are the typical Art Nouveau features of this particular manor

childhood home. And now he and his family have “restored”

Art Nouveau? Perhaps it is the choice of materials or its distinctive windows.

the home of their youth, they can enjoy it to the full.

According to Belgian artist Henry van de Velde, the most important principle of Art Nouveau is that a house is a “living organism where everything not

Project

New private house in Tallinn (Estonia)

organically connected with its architectural entity is out of place”.

Client

Tiit Raukas

Architect

Margit Kõrts, Arhitektuuribüroo

Main contractor

Kontek AS

This particular “living organism” has many different windows, most of them

Roofing contractor

Andrus Väikenurm

large with the typical Art Nouveau arched form, not to mention the carved stone

Clay roof tile

Koramic Migeon Vauban, multiblend

Organic curb roof

Margit Kõrts OÜ

25

[The Netherlands]

FLOWING FORM friendly for all Earth’s inhabitants

The new WNF headquarters in Zeist is an earth-friendly building,

Bats and birds on the wings

which gives back more energy than it uses. All materials in the buil-

The main façades of the wings were recovered with dark-red

ding were tested against strict requirements laid down by the WNF and

bricks and dark mortar. In the east wing there are also small

the architect. This included the clay roof tiles covering the new “blob”

round openings in the façade, behind which there could be

entrance and the facing bricks of the restored wings.

bird’s nests. In the west wing, the openings are bricked in and larger: behind them there are “bat cellars” where large groups

In 2002, with a closed competition for seven architects, the WNF (World Nature

of bats can nestle.

Fund) went in search of the design for their new Dutch HQ. The organisation had its eye on a small piece of a protected nature reserve area, where an empty

Building back to nature

laboratory from 1954 was going to rack and ruin. Architect’s firm RAU from

“We make earth-friendly buildings”, says architect Thomas

Amsterdam won with a plan that “naturally” linked energy-saving and environ-

Rau. “In fact, we gave this piece of nature back to the planet

mentally friendly construction to the organisation’s programme of demands.

by erecting a building that is not only energy neutral, but also contributes in many respects to a better environment. And not

Natural learnings

just for humans!”

The building was officially opened in September 2006. Here visitors learn “naturally” about air-conditioning systems (including the human body’s energy

Project

metabolism), natural light entry and suitable materials for the interior. The WNF checks all materials for source of the raw material, production method and also who the manufacturers are.

Clay as natural cover

Client

WNF Zeist

Architect

Architect’s Firm Rau, Amsterdam

Project architect

Thomas Rau

Main contractor

Building Company Van Zoelen bv, Utrecht

Roofing contractor

Leidekkersbedrijf Willem Van Boxtel, Ubbergen

Clay was the basic raw material for cladding the strikingly large main entrance: the flowing form is covered with a blend of glazed clay roof tiles. Little bulges

Refurbishment of WNF building in Zeist (The Netherlands)

Clay roof tile

Koramic Pottelberg Plain Tile 301 smooth, anthracite, slate matt glazed, brown glazed,

here and there betray the presence of stone “nesting boxes”: the building thus

wine red glazed, black glazed

also offers a “roof” to the inhabitants of the nature reserve.

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QUALITY of LIFE in Alsace social housing scheme [France]

For social client “Colmarienne de logements”, (Opus 67, Public Office of

experience. It demands particularly high levels of precision in

Social Town planning of the Lower Rhine), this housing scheme was its

site preparation and laying accuracy.”

second experience of wood frame construction and the first with HQE®

“It’s not just about technical drawings of tile areas. You also

(High Environmental Quality). The project combines user comfort, fine

have to manage the joints between cladding materials of dif-

architectural design, site productivity and overall savings.

ferent types, applications and thicknesses, which often causes some difficulty in the case of vertical joints.”

Focus on quality of life The 25 terraced houses of “Le Clos des Lilas” in Sainte Croix en Plain in the

Migeon Actua meets the challenge

Alsace region of France are spread over three units and were designed to give

The contractor continued: “On this project, we faced the special

tenants the best possible quality of life.

challenge of joining clay tile cladding, metal cladding and

The setting of the housing scheme combines village life and family privacy.

the wooden frames of the openings. The clerk of the works

And all these terraced houses have car access right up to the door, while

checked all the technical drawings by computer; so that there

pedestrian walkways and the three dedicated areas for children’s games and

was no cutting of tiles at all, just as the architects intended. As

leisure activities are sheltered from traffic.

regards façade cladding, Migeon Actua has the advantage of being the only tile to include vertical angle pieces. Of course,

Productivity and overall savings

each tile is laid on battens like on the roof, but has to be fixed

There was unanimous agreement about using the same clay roof tiles for the

individually.”

façade cladding as for the roof, and the scheme was finished in a record eight months.

Everything was prefabricated, included the wood frame. The dividing walls

Project

between the houses are made from concrete because of its sound insulation properties. With a view to long-term management obligations, the client was

“Le Clos des Lilas”, 25 new houses, Sainte Croix en Plaine (France)

Client Architect

especially conscious of overall material costs and preferred clay tiles because

“Colmarienne de logements”, Opus 67 K’nL Architectes, Laperelle et Koscielski, Rouffac

they respect the initial construction budget.

Roofing and cladding contractor

Utmost precision throughout

Clay roof tile

Entreprise Schoenenberger, Colmar

Roofing and cladding contractor Schoenenberger: “For us, this type of building site where you have to treat the joints of the different covering materials is a new

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Koramic Migeon Actua, natural red

SANDCASTLE moored in the dunes

[Belgium]

In the dunes of Oostduinkerke-Bad on the Belgian coast, architect Koen

architect as well as for the roofer. Architect Steenkiste com-

Steenkiste built a house that immediately evokes the image of a boat. This

ments: “It was a great challenge, which was a technical and

resemblance was not deliberate but sprang from the irregular shape of the

aesthetic success thanks to the support we received from the

building plot. The location against the side of the dune also offered the

Koramic engineer.”

opportunity of constructing a cellar with a garage.

Rich in contrast The location is ideal: only a walk away from the sea and Oostduinkerke-Bad,

The large round dormer window was covered with pre-pati-

but still just outside the tourist hustle and bustle that afflicts the coast at

nated zinc because a covering with clay roof tiles was virtually

certain times. The client wanted to make optimal use of the relatively restric-

impossible here. To give the whole building an optical unity,

ted site. Because of its irregular shape, this exercise resulted in a ground plan

the bay on the garden side and the complete cornice were

that on closer look has something of the bow of a ship about it. In fact, the

finished with the same zinc. The uniform colour of the first floor

plan consists of two parts: a rectangle 7 metres wide, and an organic part that

contrasts nicely with the façades of the ground floor, which are

connects with it.

covered in sandy-coloured facing brick that blends well with the surrounding dunes.

Creating free space The shape of the roof, immediately recognisable as an upturned boot, is in fact also born out of circumstances. The client wanted to have three bedrooms and

Project

a spacious bathroom on the first floor, but that turned out to be no sinecure.

A first floor was only allowed on the rectangular part of the ground floor, and in addition the cornice could not be lower than 3.5 metres. Consequently, the architect was unable to fit the extensive programme under an ordinary pitched

Single-family house in the dunes, Oostduinkerke-Bad (Belgium)

Client

Owner and occupier

Architect

Koen Steenkiste, Koksijde

Roofing contractor

Dakwerken Dewulf-Treve, Merkem

Clay roof tile

roof. The only solution consisted of an arched roof, which did offer enough free

Pottelberg Plain Tile 301 smooth, braised blue

space to accommodate all the facilities. It also meant that two terraces could be installed on the projecting organic part.

Clay roof tile chosen At the client’s request, the arched roof was finished with clay roof tiles: Pottelberg Plain Tile 301 smooth braised blue. This was a maiden trip for the

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Clay roof tile creates

CONDOMINIUM CONTRAST

[Singapore]

In Singapore most people live in high-rise apartments. The Pearl located

Clay-tiled contrast

at Mt Faber Condominium stands out as a fine example of luxurious

By incorporating a series of pitched clay-tiled roofs on a normally

hillside living. Sited at the foot of Mt Faber, which is part of Mt Faber Park

flat concrete roof, the architect has added an aesthetically

- one of the oldest in Singapore, this popular hill gives a magnificent view

contrasting feature that will no doubt enhance this project’s

of the whole port of Singapore and the resort island of Sentosa.

identity. More importantly, the flat rust-red clay roof tiles chosen for this project blend smoothly into the buildings’ clean con-

Completed in late 2005, the Pearl is an 11-storey luxury residential project

temporary lines without compromising safety.

developed by Sim Lian Group Ltd, designed by Design Link Architects and constructed by Sim Lian Construction. Covering 10,560 m2, the project

Safe selection

includes two main tower blocks with a total of 192 housing units. Residents

Actua’s interlocking feature, nailing holes and robustness were

live in tranquil surroundings on the hillside of lush greenery. Yet it is just a

major factors that convinced the architect. This was confirmed

5-minute drive to the business district and 10-minute walk from the station.

by Mr. Francis Phay, Contracts Manager at Sim Lian Group

As it is also near the planned Integrated Resort on Sentosa Island, the Pearl

Ltd, who also stressed that being very near the sea, the blocks

is sure to give investors and owners good returns.

are exposed to gusty winds from time to time. So it is essential that the roof tiles are safely secured with minimum risk to

Bungalows In the sky

residents.

The Pearl is designed in clean contemporary lines, with modern luxurious features both inside and out. One prominent external characteristic is the generous use of glass throughout the project, which gives it a high-class look and feel. All

Project

The Pearl at Mt Faber Condominium, Singapore

units come with spacious balconies, which can be used as an indoor garden or Client

Sim Lian Group Ltd, Singapore

Architect

Design Link Architects, Singapore

Contractor

Sim Lian Construction, Singapore

Another distinct architectural feature must surely be the pitched clay-tiled roofs

Roofing contractor

Unipat Builders Pte Ltd, Singapore

for the penthouses on the top floors. These duplex penthouses, 15 units in

Clay roof tile

Koramic Langenzenn Actua, rust-red

somewhere to unwind and take in the views.

all, are neatly spread over the 2 tower blocks, each unit with its own individual pitched roof. From afar and at eye level or even higher, these penthouses look like beautiful bungalows in the sky, adding a highly unique touch.

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[The Netherlands]

ARCHED ROOFS define distinctive identity

The choice of the refined design of a Tempest tile is completely in line with

Tempest tile quality

the philosophy of architect’s firm Hoenders Dekkers Zinsmeister. This

The project architect: “I wanted a minimum of fuss and no

roof tile was selected to cover the striking arched roof that dominates the

tricks. That’s why the roof was the focus. The arched roof, with

otherwise sober architecture of 215 single-family homes in Leidschen-

its pointed ridge, gives the project identity and also increases

veen near The Hague in The Netherlands.

the usable floor area.” Originally, a clay roof tile of French manufacture was selected, but the Pottelberg Tempest 44

Sober architecture that improves over time is part and parcel of the vision of ar-

finally won on quality and performance.

chitects Hoenders Dekkers Zinsmeister. Thus, they go against the limited shelf life of fashionable styles in most modern architecture. Their design conviction

The low gutter line is an intriguing design feature and also

is also visible in their project in the Leidschenveen VINEX development district,

frames the extensions on the ground floor. Each house has a

The Hague. The 215 houses are virtually identical. The only variation is the

large storey-high dormer on the front and rear façade, which

ground-floor extension to the gables and rear façades. Some may think it dull,

enhances the roof’s powerful presence and adds rhythm to

but the execution is very meticulous and detailed.

the streetscape.

Lens-shaped main plot

Project

The Hague (The Netherlands)

The residential plan designed by project architect Allard de Goeij consists of two subplans. The design of the subplans that are a few hundred meters apart is identical, but individuality was sought in the choice of materials. In one subplan,

Clients

Architect

Hoenders Dekkers Zinsmeister Architekten, Delft

versa in the other subplan. Both based on the same urban development plan:

Project architect

two long streets enclosing the lens-shaped main plot. The massiveness of the

Main contractors

Allard de Goeij Variant Bouwonderneming, Alphen aan den Rijn and Trebbe Bouw West, Nieuwegein

scheme was broken up by spreading many of the houses along the streets over Roofing contractors

Dapan Dakspecialist, Molenhoek and Pekadak Dakdekkers- and Timmerbedrijf,

other within the slanting lines of the main plot results in a changing perspective.

Depending on where you stand, the street line disappears or gable sections

AM Wonen, Zoetermeer and Heijmans Trebbe Vastgoed, Nieuwegein

red handcrafted bricks are combined with a darker roof tile, and precisely vice

a total of 34 blocks of four or five units. Also, siting the blocks parallel to each

215 single-family homes in Leidschenveen,

Groesbeek Clay roof tile

come into view.

Koramic Pottelberg Tempest Tile 44, natural red and anthracite

35

Building Value

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