Architectum 9 (2008)

Building Value

arc h i t e c t u m

February 2008 | edition 9 | 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), Franz Kolnerberger (Export), Anne-Raphaële Porcherot (France), Laëtitia Deviterne (France), Jacqueline Dietsch (Germany), Geert Kamps (Holland), Monika Sikorska (Poland) editor Staf Bellens (Belgium), Pavel Stojar (Czech Republic), Jean-Pierre Cousin (France), Gerard Halama (Germany), Tom de Vries (Holland), Caroline Kruit (Holland), Yasushi Matsuyama (Japan), Andrzej Stolarczyk (Poland), Erik Alschuler (USA), Stuart Matthews (USA) photography Peter Verplancke (Belgium), Ester Havlová (Czech Republic), Laurent Cheviet (France), Gerard Halama (Germany), Hubaer Kusters (Holland), Hejber & Maryks Promotions (Poland), Mark Hill (USA), Fred Martin (USA), Durston Saylor (USA) co-ordination & realization Stefan Claeys Sabine Merlevede design & prepress Ikaros Communications (Belgium) press Deckers Druk (Belgium) editorial office Wienerberger Export Division Wienerberger House Ter Bede Business Center B - 8500 Kortrijk T +32(0) 56 26 43 31 F +32 (0) 56 26 43 32 info@koramic-rooftiles.com www.koramic.com This magazine from

Dear Reader,

It is with great pleasure that we present the 2008 Spring edition of our Architectum magazine. Since the first edition was published six years ago, we have always tried to show you different applications of our KORAMIC clay roof tiles: from a traditional roofing material to modern wall cladding.

In this edition, we would like to point out some extraordinary wall cladding projects from Belgium, the Netherlands and Czech Republic. Belgium and the Netherlands, especially, have a long tradition in using clay roof tiles for wall cladding. This time we also have a very interesting wall cladding project on the Czech film studios in Prague.

On the basis of two international projects in the USA and in Japan we want to illustrate the creative side of roof design with Aléonard traditional clay plain tiles. The wide colour range allows a multitude of different blends, specially adapted to the house style and the surrounding.

Once again we hope we have given you an inspiring selection of our product mix.

Enjoy your voyage of discovery through Architectum!

Franz Kolnerberger Export Manager

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

ARCHITECTUM is distributed in Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom and United States.

Highlights 4 8 5

6 7

3 1 2

1

A VILLAGE WITHIN A TOWN

> p04-05

5

Distinctive clay facing from top to bottom

2

DIFFERENT LIVING

PRACTICALITY MEETS ELEGANCE

> p06-07

6

SUNSET, SC

SCHOOL IN THE LOCAL STYLE

> p16-17

Complex design realised within budget

> p08-09

7

Largest studios in Europe - pride of the Czech dream factory

4

> p12-13

Tempest tiles give a warm ambience to a meeting place

Living and working in a tower and a tiled barrel vault

3

THE IMAGE OF A VILLAGE

> p10-11

AN EXERCISE IN STYLE

> p24-25

At home in the Belle Époque

8

Lake house near Greenville, South Carollina

DISTINCTIVE WITHIN THE WHOLE Basic shapes united by use of a flat tile

3

> p26-27

>

A village within a town Distinctive clay facing from top to bottom [France]

The Stift retirement home at Marlenheim is a new construction that was

Tile layout as an architectural feature

built after a competitive architectural design tender. It has replaced two

The roof sections are subdivided by a central gutter in such a

older homes. The contemporary architecture is integrated with the sur-

way that each residential module appears to have an individual

rounding town, while stating its own identity in slate engobed clay.

roof of its own, giving an appearance of a cluster of houses grouped together. Calculating the layout of the roof tiles

New architecture – continuity in the town

without having to cut any of the tiles, with the central gutter

This retirement home is designed to accommodate 75 residents, fifteen of

being exactly the same width as one tile, demanded extreme

whom are housed in a unit for people exhibiting the symptoms of Alzheimer.

precision in the work of the Olland roofing company. The buil-

It replaces two buildings with a history of charitable donations (Hoerter and

ders were also able to build the shell of the building sufficiently

Sainte Famille) that have anchored them firmly in the community spirit of

accurately.

Marlenheim.

The wall cladding may be less important, but it was created

The entrance courtyard opens out into the town, creating a square where the

by the company Marwo with the same geometric rigour as

lives of the residents and their visitors can merge together calmly with the lives

the roofing and is evident to the extent that it provides visual

of the people of Marlenheim. Visual transparency and lines of sight have been

continuity with the surrounding building, from the roof right

created for this space, while still closing off the areas that had to be there for

down to ground level, thereby also reducing the apparent

the safety of the residents.

height. The terracotta façade plates, light grey in colour, fit in

Ms. Fritschmann, who runs the establishment, stresses the way the ambien-

perfectly with the slate tones of the roof covering in flat Actua

ce has changed. It is nothing like the living conditions they had previously, in

Duplex clay roof tiles.

locations that were sombre and poorly adapted. The living areas where the Project

residents start their day face eastwards. They are at the bottom of the square

Stift retirement home (formerly the Hoerter and Sainte Famille residences),

and are bathed in sunlight. This has a beneficial effect on the dynamism of all

Marlenheim (France)

the residents.

Architect

For the director, the slate-coloured clay roof tiles and the light grey ArGeTon

K’nL Architecture, Mathieu Laperrelle, Rouffach

façade plates – standing out strikingly amid the dominant red tile of the sur-

Main contractor

OPUS 67, Strasbourg

roundings – give this building its own identity.

Roofing contractor

Olland, Haguenau

Clay roof tile

Koramic Migeon Actua Duplex, slate engobe

Retaining discrete volumes The architect had to treat the project as if it were a series of small-scale houses, so as to minimise the visual impact of the 4,000 m2 of new floor area. The most difficult aspect was reconciling the need for thermal and climatic comfort - and the costs - with this architectural consideration. Because of the seismic activity of the region, the structure had to be built in reinforced concrete. This offers an effective solution to the problem of acoustic insulation between the accomodation units. The slenderness of the concrete slabs also limits the volume and overall height of the building, in line with the restrictions of the POS zoning plan.

Parts of the façades are in roughcast concrete, in a similar fashion to facings typical of the Alsace region, whereas the gables overlooking the square are covered with light grey façade plates with warm nuances, complementing the slate-finish tile layout of the roof.

5

[The Netherlands]

>

Different living Living and working in a tower and a tiled barrel vault

The house that architect Julius Bosma works and lives in with his family

Mastic to keep the upper roof tiles watertight

speaks a language of clear shapes, simple use of materials and austere

For the powerful but austere lines of the architecture, Bosma

details, making it a conspicuous point of calm in the richly varying archi-

chose three dominant colours and materials: black bricks for

tecture of Sneek’s De Oudvaart district. The design comprises a union of

the tower masonry, silver-grey for the zinc end walls of the half

a rectangular black brick tower with a barrel vault that is covered in clay

cylinder and clay for its roof. Narvik FD clay roof tiles go from

roof tiles.

ground level to the ridge. There are no gutters: gravel traps at ground level provide drainage. The roof tiles are screwed

Beyond the usual shapes

onto battens, part of the wooden box panels that – along with

The studio’s main activity is designing detached and semi-detached houses.

insulation, finishing, foils and laths – were pre-fabricated to the

Most of the 150 that he has designed over the last 15 years, primarily for project

exact curvature required. Each section includes a large pivo-

developers, have been built in a traditional way. But when a larger house was

ted window to let daylight into the house. To prevent rainwater

needed for his growing family, he allowed himself a design that went beyond the

from blowing in at the almost horizontal ridge, the ridges and

usual. In a reaction to traditional thinking about house-building, he developed

the top three rows of roof tiles have been sealed.

the ‘different living’ concept based on different floor plans, shapes, choices of materials and construction. For his own residential and living accommoda-

Uniform style

tion, he combined these aspects with a fascination for towers and the rounded

Bosma used the same shapes for the detached carport and

shape of the Nissen hut. Bosma says, “This shape combines maximum volume

storage area as for the main building. The rounded shape used

with minimum surface.” There is a three-storey black brick entrance tower, plus

here has a smaller radius, so smaller pantiles were used: Pot-

a semi-cylindrical main volume faced with natural red clay roof tiles and end

telberg Tempest Tile 44, in the same natural red colour as the

walls faced with patinated zinc sheeting.

house’s Narvik FD.

Different living

Project

Living/working accommodation at the Duiker, Sneek (The Netherlands)

Combining a tower with a barrel vault allows non-standard floor plans. This is seen particularly in the layout of the semi-cylindrical main volume. The main load-bearing construction comprises four composite trusses of laminated Rus-

Client

The Bosma family

Architect

Julius Bosma, Sneek

Main contractor

sian larch, dividing the layout into three equal areas. Bosma also subdivided this

Aannemersbedrijf Plantinga, Scharnegoutum

area lengthwise with a sand-lime brick wall which, with steel coupling girders

Roofing contractor

Onderhouds- en dakdekkerbedrijf Zagt, Oldeboorn

between the trusses, supports the concrete floor of the first storey.

Clay roof tile

Koramic Narvik FD, natural red (house) and Koramic Pottelberg Tempest Tile 44, natural red (storage/carport) p

7

[Czech Republic]

>

Practicality meets elegance

Largest studios in Europe - pride of the Czech dream factory

8

Prague’s Barrandov studios are as important to Czech cinema as

wall are even more blunt, the red façades broken only by grey

Hollywood is in America. Founded in 1931, they now have an excellent

brick technical rooms with staircases and an overhead corridor

name in world film-making. Since last year the Czech dream factory also

joining up to other film studios. There are no windows, as light

boasts the largest studio in Europe, the work of Hans-Paul Architects,

could be a problem when filming.

proving that even large practical buildings need not look monotonous or

“We used 36,000 m2 of clay roof tiles for the facings. It is

boring. The main feature is an unusual façade of Koramic Migeon Actua.

a very nice material, easily fitted and only needing a minimum of care,” says architect Filip Ziegler. Paradoxically, Koramic

Barrandov Studios

clay roof tiles were only used for the façades; the roof is of a

The Barrandov district, named after French palaeontologist Joachim Barrande,

different material.

has an individual charm. Film studios were founded in the Thirties on a terrace above Prague by Vaclav Havel, father of the former Czech president, aiming

Everything for the needs of film makers

to create an architecturally modern garden town. A restaurant was soon follo-

The interior is strictly suited to its purpose: a modern sound-

wed by villas for film stars and businessmen. More importantly, modern studios

proofed film studio of 4,164 m2 and 14 m in height, offering

for making films with sound were built. The whole studio district became an

film makers ideal resources and comfort. Even the wooden

example of functionalist architecture.

floor is practical, allowing easy installation of sets. Unique

The creators today had to pay special attention to this, as well as to the requi-

dismountable soundproof walls allow the 100 m to be divided

rements for a building to meet the high demands of the world’s film-makers.

into three separate studios, each with its own entrance.

The challenge for Filip Ziegler and his company Hans-Paul Architects was by

The interior architect was only able to give his fantasy free rein

no means easy.

in the space for the film makers. The boldness of other parts of the building contrasts with the brightly coloured accessories in

Massive and blunt façade

the areas for technicians and actors. The corridor floor design

At the premises of these legendary studios, the attractive large building took

looks like a strip of film.

shape in which the new studio is located. It has been built with moderate and Project

practical shapes but it is still elegant, with an eye-catching red covering giving

Max Film Studio, Barrandov Studios, Prague (Czech Republic)

the large façade a soft structure.

The front wall is over 100 m long, interlaid with three solid blocks creating pillars of grey bricks supporting the whole mass. They have blue doorways to allow entrance of film sets and technology. The 40 m side walls and the 100 m back

Client

Barrandov Studios, Prague

Architect

Hans-Paul Architects, Prague

Koramic partner

Beleta, Prague

Clay roof tile

Koramic Migeon Actua, 60% natural red, 40% multiblend

9

[USA]

>

Sunset, SC

Lake house near Greenville, South Carolina

The North American importer of the Koramic range of clay roof tiles has

lines can be moved through small curvatures and over eye-

the opportunity to be involved in many truly magnificent projects. The

brows etc. – and so they were reasonably sure it was possible.

Lake house in South Carolina stands out as one of their most interesting

That is, if good installers could be found.

roofs. Judging from the pictures, it is clear that it must have been

Geometry and algebra

particularly challenging.

This house is in a remote location and experienced roof tile

Victorian braised blue blend for muted shades

installers are thin on the ground, especially ones who are pre-

They were familiar with the client, the designer and builder from a previous

pared to undertake a project of this complexity. Luckily, the

project, and knew that he liked to push the design envelope. He described the

site superintendent had some friends who were available for

site as being a challenge. The house was to be situated on a narrow shoreline

work for the summer. They met up on site and the relevant roof

surrounded by steep, heavily wooded cliffs. The approach is along a winding

tiling theory and the basis of battening were discussed. The

drive with a very steeply curved descent to the house. The initial view is actually

installers picked it up quickly and installation soon began on

from above, so the client did not want the attention of the driver distracted by

the few simple areas. Inspired by geometry and algebra, they

an overly colourful roof. When the house is viewed from across the lake, he also

quickly picked up the idea of varying exposures and shuffling

wanted the whole structure to blend into the surroundings; the roof therefore

the gauge. By the end of the summer the roof was finished,

needed to use muted tones. Old Hollow Tile 451 was suggested as the tile

a testament to the practical usefulness of all that geometry,

profile. The Victorian braised blue blend would provide the muted shades and

algebra and calculus that sometimes seems so impractical

so this soon became the profile of choice.

when viewed from the schoolroom.

Avoiding standard concepts

Project name

Lake house near Greenville, South Carolina (USA)

The next challenge was the detailing and installation. With a designer who

Architect/designer/main contractor

loves to create interesting shapes and avoid the concept that the ridge should

Kunstwerke Inc., Scott Kunst,

run parallel to the eaves and the gables should simply be at right angles, you

Simpsonville, South Carolina

need an installer who loves a challenge. Initial work had to be based on the

Roofing contractor

Local contractor

model of the house, as plans were not drawn until the project was actually on

Koramic partner

Northern Roof Tiles, Ontario (Canada)

the ground and building was well advanced. It was far from clear how it could

Clay roof tile

Koramic Pottelberg Old Hollow Tile 451, Victorian braised blue

be done, but past experience with the 451 pantile had shown how flexible the installation can be – how exposures can be shuffled and even how the gauge

11

> [Belgium]

The image of a village Tempest tiles give a warm ambience to a meeting place

12

Clubs and associations play a key role in local society. Architect Dirk De

The building belongs here

Meyer therefore took great care in designing and detailing the meeting

“Thanks to the scale and the many accessories, you are able

centre in Schuiferskapelle. He succeeded in integrating the industrial buil-

to create a wide range of shapes using Tempest tiles. We

ding in the village centre.

arranged all the dimensions of the steel structure to suit the clay roof tiles, so that not a single one had to be cut. The

Reconciled with the surroundings

tender was based on this detailed plan, containing placement

Firstly, the architects’ office examined whether the existing buildings on the cor-

instructions down to the last millimetre.”

ner plot could be converted into a meeting centre containing function rooms, a

“That raised a few eyebrows locally at first – what, roof tiles on

party hall, a lending section belonging to the library, offices for the town officials

the wall? But after a few weeks they had already forgotten that

and space for services. However, that did not prove to be possible. Everything

the building was there. It simply belongs here.”

was therefore demolished and replaced by a completely new structure.

Project

Given the limited time for construction and the restricted budget, the architect

Meeting centre, Schuiferskapelle (Belgium)

chose to use a modular steel construction employing panels. The question then arose immediately of how to reconcile such a relatively large building with its surroundings, in this case a typical village centre.

Client

Tielt town authority

Architect

DDM Architectuur – Dirk De Meyer, Tielt

Roofing contractor

Joris Laethem, Wingene

Clay roof tile

Z shape with pent roof

Koramic Pottelberg Tempest Tile 44, natural red

The solution was as simple as it was ingenious. The architect designed two volumes with a pent roof, arranged in a Z shape. The roof slope clearly fits in as an extension to the row of saddle roofs, while also providing the maximum amount of usable space. The two parts bound a square that is suitable for all sorts of village activities.

The roof and walls were covered with natural red Tempest Tile 44. “Using the same material resolves the dichotomy between the roof and the wall, creating a single coherent volume.” Because it is a public building, the walls are protected at the bottom with a prefabricated concrete skirt.

13

[Germany]

Restoration of Schloss Castell Historic building preservation: shape before colour

14

Historic building preservation is not merely a building discipline: it can

primarily for mixing in with older roof tiles. These areas show a

also be an important part of family life - if you live in one! At Schloss

full and lively range of colours and shapes. A genuinely beau-

Castell, not far from Nuremberg, old building materials obviously need to

tiful object that demanded a highly concentrated effort for such

be used. Maintenance and care are as much part of the picture for a blue-

a large area from the artistically fastidious builders.

blooded family as management, leadership and representation are.

Spanning the centuries Roof beams replaced

You might imagine that much of the roof is 100 to 300 years

The current master is Count Ferdinand of Castell-Castell. As well as the oldest

old. The new tiles on this roof have a good chance of becoming

bank in Bavaria, the family has forestry and agricultural interests and wines that

very old too. The coal-fired beaver tiles, with their multiplicity

have won numerous prizes. The foundations of the castle, built in 1691 with

of shapes and varying lengths, bring the roof area convincingly

stone sourced from old castle buildings destroyed in the Peasants’ Wars of

to life. Denkmalpflege – the historic building conservation

1525, are on tough ground with gypsum layers and silty clay that is perfect for

society – was pleased with the results.

viticulture.

Beaver tile gallery display: nothing is impossible

The roof was last restored in the Fifties, so thorough restoration was going to be needed. Two main channels were particularly badly affected and the roof was becoming increasingly leaky in other places. Structural tests showed that

The “Koramic Manufaktur” beaver tile gallery is a modular

some of the joists, rafters and some ceiling beams below would need replacing

system construction kit for historic and exclusive beaver tiles.

or strengthening. Under a protective second roof, the old clay tile roofing was

Historic building restorers and discriminating builders can put

removed and put into temporary storage. The roof beams were then restored.

together the exclusive beaver tiles they want from this product range. There are five sizes, eight shapes, six standard thick-

Conservative or complete renovation?

nesses, ten engobe colours, traditional glazes, various clay

Although others advocated complete renovation, the Count wanted to retain

colours, including distinct intensities of coal-fired tiles, at least

part of the old roofing. “Finally,” says Count Ferdinand, “they agreed that roof

nine standard surface effects and numerous extras such as

tiles that had lasted for 200 years plus would probably last another 100.” One

concave or convex beaver tiles: the gallery shows that nothing

beaver tile from the old roof was emblazoned with a date of 1687: well over 300

is impossible.

years old and had surely been re-used several times already. The old roof tiles were mostly used for re-tiling south-facing sections and inner courtyard areas.

Geometry and surface structures come to the fore, rather than colours. The key

Project

factor in choosing the new roof tiles was a visit to Koramic, who showed that

Restoration of Schloss Castell, Nuremberg (Germany)

everything was possible. A total of eight types plus a special slim ridge tile were

Client

Count Ferdinand of Castell-Castell

needed. The builders looked through the beaver tile display gallery and selec-

Architect

Müller + v. Soden Architekten BDA, Fulda

ted roof tiles with a slight coal-fired effect (obtained by denying oxygen during

Supporting structure Mittnacht Beratende Ingenieure, Würzburg

firing, available in finely-nuanced intensities), using an asymmetric shield shape

Roofing contractor

(gatehouse and side aisles): Feßler & Sohn Bedachungsunternehmen

and basket-handle arch as the basic pattern. The surfaces have six lengthwise

GmbH, Kitzingen

ridges and two tapering water guides. As well as the standard 18 cm roof tiles,

(main castle):

3/4 and 7/8 width beaver tiles were also ordered.

Handschuh GmbH, Schweinfurt

Various roof tiles were used for the completely renovated north, west and

Clay roof tile

Koramic Eisenberg Beaver Tiles, various colours

east-facing areas, in one width and two lengths. The narrower roof tiles were

15

> [The Netherlands]

School in the local style Complex design realised within budget

16

The pyramidal roof of a “stolpboerderij” farm is a distinctive architectural

corners of the pitched roof allow daylight in. The second floor

element in the landscape of North Holland. For architect Kees Willems of

runs around the walls, creating a parapet. The lower panel of

architects and advisers Teeuwisse & Willems in The Hague, these specific

the glass lets daylight into the lower-floor classrooms. Skylights

local shapes were the inspiration for the design of the primary school De

have also been included where the roof covers the ground

Zevensprong in Heerhugowaard.

floor. Zinc-clad sections between the pyramidal roofs contain toilets and storage areas.

Two-storey pyramids The demography of many 1960s residential areas has now stabilised. Semi-

Integral design

permanent schools were built in the new areas to handle rapidly growing

Numerous interconnecting shapes and the materials used

numbers of children – temporary buildings that are now at the end of their

make the design of De Zevensprong relatively complex. Anyone

lifecycle. More durable schools are now being built at a scale suited to the

familiar with the strict rules about budgeting in education will

new, steadier situation. De Zevensprong primary school in Heerhugowaard was

be surprised at a design like this. Teeuwisse & Willems have a

recently entirely re-housed. Teeuwisse & Willems designed two-storey pyramids

lot of experience in designing schools. Above all, the working

at three corners of a rectangular plot: 6 classrooms for the older classes. A

method at the start of a project allows optimum use to be

larger fourth pyramid for communal use extends beyond the rectangular

made of the available budget. Project architect Christian

boundary. Two flat-roofed classrooms are being added for the younger children.

Janssen says, “We’re advisers as well as architects, so there’s

The dominant pyramid shapes, inspired by local “stolpboerderij” farms, are

a lot of in-house expertise. Calculations are made for the

faced with slate-coloured clay roof tiles. The flat Migeon Actua has also been used

preliminary ideas - an integral design approach to let us make

vertically as wall cladding for the adjacent façades.

the most of the available budget.”

Playful nature

Project

De Zevensprong primary school, Heerhugowaard (The Netherlands)

The load-bearing structure of the distinctive roofs consists of four truss legs Client

running over the ribs from the cap down to the ground. Galvanised steel

Architect

shoes link the wooden legs together and anchor them to concrete plinths. The

Stichting Valete, Alkmaar Teeuwisse & Willems architecten en adviseurs, The Hague

pyramidal shape has vertical façades at the foot and is not filled at the top due

Project architects

Kees Willems and Christian Janssen

to the maximum height defined in the zoning plan, so the laminated girders

Main contractor

De Geus Bouw, Broek op Langedijk

protrude beyond the body. To add a playful note to both interior and exterior,

Roofing contractor

Pannendekkersbedrijf D. Pool, Winkel

the truncated pyramid has a pitched roof. Large aluminium glass fronts at the

Clay roof tile

Koramic Migeon Actua, slate engobe

17

> [Japan]

18

Normandy comes to Japan Nobele Villa Garden project for Shozan

Yasushi Matsuyama, the president of the company that owns the project, lived in Paris for over four years. He travelled around much of France and fell for the charm of the roof tiles there, which are quite different from Japanese black roof tiles. He was particularly impressed during a trip north by the AlÊonard plain roof tile and the splendour of times gone by that it reects, leaving him with a real desire to use it in his own constructions.

19

> French roof tiles on a Japanese building

beauty. Nobele Villa Garden therefore has a good situation, with green sur-

In 1996, Shozan started construction of the building called

roundings and splendid scenery. The red shades of the Aléonard plain roof tiles

Farm Normandie. This was opened in July 1997 and its func-

complement the natural greens of the locality.

tion at the time was as a restaurant. In May 2007, the business strategy was changed and Farm Normandie was rebuilt to

Constructor’s comments

become a wedding reception hall with the name Nobele

“When we did the repair work on the house, we constructed it as a Japanese-

Villa Garden. They currently accept just two reservations for

style building but with the French clay roof tiles. In order to allow the Aléonard

marriages per day and it is becoming popular as a place where

Patrimony plain roof tiles to be used and guarantee that the roof would be

private wedding parties can be held.

waterproof, the guest house was roofed more steeply than the original building.

The name Nobele Villa Garden is a coined word meaning

As a result, we were able to produce a wonderful roof that fits in with a French

‘noble cottage’. A temple has been built within the same

looking scenery. The customer is very pleased with the atmosphere this has

structure and both the marriage ceremony and the wedding

created, and all the members of the construction team are also very happy

reception can therefore be held in a single building. Inside there

with it.”

is a bar for drinks and plenty of room for relaxation.

Blending two traditions

Project

An old Japanese private house next to Farm Normandie was

Client

SHOZAN Co. Ltd. - Yasushi Matsuyama

Architect

Hiroshi Yagyu

acquired and converted into a guest room and bridal suite.

This old private house had originally been built as a purely Japanese structure with Japanese roof tiles. The interior was completely reworked by Shozan and the external style of the

Bridal suite guest house, Kyoto (Japan)

Main contractor

Mizuno Construction Co. Ltd.

Roofing contractor

Karani Roofing Tiles

Clay roof tile

Koramic Aléonard Plain Tile Patrimony 311 Handcrafted, 3 sizes, 1/3 Kent red, 1/3 vineyard black, 1/3 lichen green

house was also changed from a traditional Japanese style to a French style by replacing the existing roof tiles with Aléonard plain roof tiles. The resulting harmonization of a Japanese style with a French style is something they are very proud of.

The Nobele Villa Garden is located near the famous Kinkaku-ji temple in Japan, which is surrounded by an area of natural

20

>

[USA]

Owlsnest, Long Island Private residence in Lloyd Harbor, NY

21

22

Perched on a bluff overlooking a sheltered inlet on Long Island’s fabled

Technology

Gold Coast, this house faced the classic conundrum of the north shore

The building employs the latest technology. Integrally insulated

home: the grand sea views are on the north side of the building, but the

cast-in-place concrete walls provide both superb insulation

home owner required ample space, views and natural sunlight for all the

and sound-proofing.

main rooms.

As befits a legacy home, natural materials provide both longterm durability and the promise of graceful patina. The walls

Sun-trap concept

are clad in four-inch limestone and granite with solid mahogany

Building on the work of great designers such as Lutyens, the architects Jim and

windows. Rustic clay roof tiles provide highly durable roofing

Laura Smiros adapted the classic “sun-trap” concept. The X-shaped plan deftly

whose timeless appeal dovetails with the rustic aesthetics.

provides abundant sunlight and good views for each arm of the building, while

The modern and traditional technologies are united into an

providing efficient and intimate circulation around the centre of the building.

ageless aesthetic based on the fundamentals of harmony

The house radiates out from the centre of a tightly defined oval field of formal

and proportion. The house speaks in a style that is unaffected

gardens, nestling in the verdant natural setting.

by the transient nature of our modern culture. The result is a surprisingly efficient manor with a stately, timeless presence.

Aesthetics Project name

The large, semi-rural site suggested a refined rusticity. The distinctly Tudor and

Private residence Lloyd Harbor, Long Island, New York (USA)

Cotswold architecture incorporates a smooth limestone for the base and the Architect

door surrounds, counterpointed by the rough granite rubble walls of the ground

Smiros & Smiros Architects, Glen Cove, New York

floor. The stones were painstakingly selected to achieve just the right combina-

Main contractor

tion of enticing warmth and seasoned comfort. Warm stucco tones clothe the

Gerold Brothers Builders, Oakdale, New York

first floor and the gables. The rustic clay tile roof is crowned with a magnificent

Roofing contractor

Paul Loth, Loth Roofing, East Meadow, New York

array of chimneys constructed of hand-made weathered brick.

Clay roof tile

The roof is a key element. It was done in the Koramic Patrimony range, clay

Koramic Aléonard Plain Tile Patrimony 311 Handcrafted, 30% small, 30% medium,

roof tiles made in rural France using materials and techniques that have stood

30% large + 10% Koramic Aléonard

the test of time. Multiple sizes and colours of clay roof tiles have been used,

Monuments Historiques, 30% lichen green,

suggesting the time-worn elegance of an old European stately home. The subtle

30% Kent red, 30% vineyard black and 10%

mix of mellow earth tones in the roof harmonises with the natural hues of the

ochre rose

surrounding woodland, a breathtaking sight in the autumn in particular.

23

>

[Belgium]

An exercise in style At home in the Belle Époque

24

Thanks to the German architect and urban planner Josef Stübben, De

Natural colours preferred

Haan is an oasis of style on the Belgian coast. In 1912, he developed a

In accordance with the regulations, the whole structure was

plan with strict building regulations for the Concessie, a dune area that

roofed with plain tiles. The architect preferred the natural colour

had been made available for what were then the first developments in the

of fired clay. “If you were to look at an aerial photo of the region,

field of tourism. The architect Ievan Decoster recently built a villa there

that would be the dominant shade.” Choosing Koramic as the

that was very much in the spirit of Stübben.

supplier was absolutely self-evident for Ievan Decoster. “I’ve been working with the company for thirty years now, to my full

Fitting in with the look and feel

satisfaction.”

Stübben’s preference for the pleasantly-proportioned building style of the Normandy region is still the determining factor in today’s local urban planning regulations. New projects must fit in with the existing cultural look and feel,

Project

Private residence, De Haan (Belgium)

without degenerating into bland and uninteresting copies. A captivating and

Architect

Ievan Decoster, Varsenare (Jabbeke)

Roofing contractor

Carl Godderis, Handzame

challenging stylistic exercise for an architect such as Ievan Decoster, who

Clay roof tile

primarily produces modern designs.

Koramic Pottelberg Plain Tile 301 Smooth, natural red

Another element that became a determining factor was the shape and orientation of the corner plot it was on. To create the required interior space, a longitudinally stretched house was the obvious solution. The architect was then immediately able to add spacious terracing on the south side in front of the house.

A tough roofing job In accordance with the regulations, the walls were painted white. The panelwork sections, a visual reference to the Anglo-Normandian style, are actually a structure of laths with exterior plastering applied between them. The volumes acquire their liveliness from the interplay of different roof shapes and heights and dormer windows. Quite a nice job for a roofing contractor who is desperate to show off his skills after the umpteenth gable roof! They were able to enjoy the channel gutters, corners and edges, bay windows and other precise details.

The copper guttering fits in perfectly with the overall concept.

25

Distinctive within the whole [The Netherlands]

Basic shapes united by use of a flat tile

>

26

Vathorst, a new residential area north of Amersfoort, is dominated by

to shape and gable tiles were used at the edges. There are

terraced rows of single-family units. The detached villas designed by

detailed refinements at the transition between roof and façade.

Drost + van Veen in Rotterdam are distinct in both their typology and

A concealed aluminium gutter is fitted here. The aluminium is

their architecture. The straight, tiled saddle roof covers a building with a

coated the same grey as the clay roof tiles and the drainpipes

dog-leg kink. This powerful, austere shape creates a moment of peace

are cleverly hidden, so the design is a balanced union of a

amid the triviality of the surrounding architecture.

few main shapes and free of fussy detail. It is precisely that austerity that distinguishes this small project from the often

Simple expressiveness

intrusive architecture nearby.

On land formerly owned by a farm that is still there, five villas are arranged to give each house maximum privacy. 11,000 houses are to be built in the new

Distinctive within the whole

residential area, to be completed around 2014. An adjacent three-storey block

In urban planning terms, the project is a conspicuous calm

of flats was designed along with the villas. The basis for both typologies is

point within Vathorst: villas placed loosely around the existing

the same: a rectangular body for the structure. By putting a thirty-degree kink

farm on a communal plot with a few parking spaces and a

to the left or right in the shape’s layout, Evelien van Veen found a simple but

separate garage. No property boundaries and the plethora

effective way of adding great expressiveness to the design. A simple saddle roof

of fencing they create: the whole project can be seen as a

of clay roof tiles introduces a second basic form. It does not follow the kink in

distinct unit. This undoubtedly inspired the garden layouts

the building’s shape, creating a fascinating interplay of surfaces where the two

of the residents, with private and communal areas merging

basic shapes meet.

seamlessly. The same careful choice of materials and detailing can also be seen in the adjacent apartment block. The scale is

Detailed refinements

different, but it is clearly part of the same family as the villas.

The displaced corner of the rectangular floor plan is twisted until it is precisely Project

under the ridge of the roof. The wall is at its largest here; south-facing, entirely

Five villas and three flats in the Vathorst district of Amersfoort (The Netherlands)

of glass. Allowing the roof to protrude here too maximises the expressiveness Client

of the design. A warm red hand-moulded brick was used for the basic volume.

Schipper Bosch Projectontwikkeling, Amersfoort

However, as the tiled roof extends over the longitudinal walls, the bricks are only

Architect

Drost + van Veen Architecten, Rotterdam

seen at the bottom and in the formal and relatively enclosed entrance. The clay

Project architect

Evelien van Veen

roof tile chosen is a slate engobe Migeon Actua – a large, flat tile that has been

Landscape architect Gerrit Vosselman

applied with care. The lines of the dog-leg in the outer wall are cut precisely

Main contractor

Karbouw Bouwbedrijf, Amersfoort

Roofing contractor

Emo, Nieuwegein

Clay roof tile

Koramic Migeon Actua, slate engobe

27

[The Netherlands]

>

Idiosyncratic use of clay roof tiles Housing project in Bergen op Zoom

28

Integral restructuring of the ’t Fort and Zeekant districts meant 300

masonry outer walls; the volume built above it is straight-

houses being demolished. Now that phase one is complete, you can see

forward and covered with clay roof tiles. The houses have a

that the new buildings, in a range of architectural styles, have respected

timber-framed construction.

what was already there and accentuated specific aspects of the area. One

“If you look closely, you will see little jumps in the roofline. That’s

row of houses is a conspicuous example: red roof tiles dominate, just as

where we’re following the lie of the land, which is irregular. The

they did before - but now in a highly idiosyncratic way.

houses are on the edge of an area known as the Brabantse Wal. After that, the land gets lower,” explains Dekkers.

Vertical tiles on a ‘square roof’

There are differences in the heights of the roofs. Dekkers says,

“Using roof tiles is very much part of the surroundings of ’t Fort – Zeekant,”

“For the terraced houses, a rebate can be put in the construc-

explains the architect Fred Dekkers. He and his agency, Hoenders Dekkers

tion wall, making it easy to add another floor. That was done

Zinsmeister Architekten (HDZ), have been involved in both the first and second

straight away for some of the houses. But it is also a very good

phase of this reconstruction project in Bergen op Zoom. Two blocks of flats

solution for future extensions. And the roof tile can simply be

designed by their office are being built as part of the second phase. In the first

screwed back on again and there will be no problems with

phase, HDZ handled the sheltered housing, town houses and terraced villas.

differences in the way things are fixed.” The windows in the

The shape and appearance of these low-rise buildings fit together well as well

‘roof’ sections have dark frames and are in the tiled areas. “It’s

as fitting in with the existing surrounding buildings.

a logical colour choice for windows in a roof, so we reckoned

Dekkers says, “If you see the area, the surroundings and the original buildings,

it was also right for vertical surfaces with roof tiles,” explains

then red roof tiles dominate. We wanted to do something with that, but we

Dekkers. Just as usual - but unique in its own way.

used a simple square roof – a block shape instead of gabled shapes. The front Project

door is 2.3 metres high, and above it - for the width of the frontage - there is a

Housing project in the ’t Fort-Zeekant district, Bergen op Zoom (The Netherlands)

concealed gutter. Everything above that is covered with Migeon Actua flat tiles from the Koramic range.”

Client

Wonen West Brabant and Rabo Vastgoed

Architect

Hoenders Dekkers Zinsmeister Architekten b.v., Delft

Following the lie of the land

Project architects ir. Fred Dekkers, ir. Allard de Goeij,

Despite the differentiation among the houses, the uniform usage of materials

Kaspar Zinsmeister and Marloes Koster Project team

still unites them. The rows of owner-occupied housing, the terraced and semi-

ing. Pim IJsendoorn, ing. Joris de Zeeuw and ir. Inge van Zuijlen

detached houses, the two blocks of sheltered accommodation: they all use the same vocabulary of a single storey and a tiled roof. The ground floor has

29

Contractor

Gebr. van Wanrooij Bouwbedrijven, Geffen

Clay roof tile

Koramic Migeon geon Actua, natural red

> An object worth studying A curved roof rises up from the building plot [Belgium]

30

The clients had planning permission on a plot of land within a large site.

architect was particularly pleased with the fact that Koramic

They wanted to build a single-family house on it, something that had its

has vertical angle tiles in the programme for the vertical

own unmistakeable identity. Together with the architect Eric Boddaert, the

connection with the wall.

solution they arrived at was a curved roof. Along with parts of the side

To add a spacious effect on the inside of the compact and

walls, it was to be covered in clay roof tiles.

well-insulated house, corner windows were used. The frames are in anthracite-coloured aluminium and the zinc roof gutters

Clay roof tiles on a curved roof

use the same shade, giving the whole a consistent coloration.

For the architect, it was the first practical acquaintance with curved roofs using

His conclusion? “Although we employed a more expensive

clay roof tiles. He had also briefly considered a standing seam roof in zinc,

solution for the roof underlay, the clients did get a house that is

but budgetary constraints meant that this was not feasible. Because it is also

full of individuality, for a very affordable price.”

possible to produce perfectly watertight wall cladding using clay roof tiles, they soon settled on this option.

Doubly watertight roof The architect himself gathered together all the information that was required and then studied the details together with the roofing contractor. Finally, they decided to apply an APP bitumen base layer over the entire length of the curved roof. Where the slope becomes very small at the top, they used hardwood tile laths that are resistant to any water penetration. “It is guaranteed 200% watertight. The APP bitumen was an extra expense, but we do like to develop projects that are basically ecologically sound. You could invest a lot of money in improved roof underlay sheets with tongues and grooves to make sure you get a wind-proof roof. But that was not needed here.”

Special vertical angle tiles For the cladding, the architect suggested Narvik Datura roof tiles in slate engobe because he found that a particularly suitable option. The colour seemed obvious, in combination with the red hand-moulded wall bricks. The

31

Project

Single-family house, Lochristi (Belgium)

Architect

Eric Boddaert, Munte

Roofing contractor

Johan De Vroe NV, Merelbeke

Clay roof tile

Koramic Narvik Datura, slate engobe

> [France]

Tile-clad maisonettes Housing for a settled Gipsy community in Alsace

32

One of Alsace’s most important and oldest travelling communities

the excellent thermal insulation. The humidity of the ventilation

(settled since 1930) have swapped their precarious accommodation of

system is adjustable. It utilises the chimney effect of the venti-

huts and caravans for individual environmentally certified maisonettes.

lated façades and the attic space as a buffer, providing climatic

The architecture juxtaposes the ancestral symbology of the home and

comfort in all seasons. Prior to the laying of the clay roof tiles,

central hearth with all the benefits of a very efficient climate-controlled

thermal solar panels have been installed, embedded into the

concept and a contiguous tiled roof and wall.

south-facing roofs to supply a 200-litre hot water tank.

Recreating a village atmosphere The maisonettes are in small clusters of 5 or 6 around common yards intended

Colours enrich the precision of the architecture

for neighbours and children, separated from access roads, caravan parking

A row of kink tiles covering the intersection of roof and façade

and scrap metal areas. Placing the accommodation around these yards was

ensures continuity of the shape and keeps the roofs and walls

the best way of respecting relationships that were interwoven back when the

watertight. Rainwater simply drains away at the bottom of the

community settled down. The orientation of the two sites allows south-facing

wall. Galvanised steel hoops separate the coloured zones

living rooms, protected against the sun’s rays in summer and making the most

reflecting the architectural and functional subdivisions of

of what it provides in winter. The north-facing rooms have smaller openings.

each house. The gables are highlighted by an obliquely cut galvanised steel profile that covers the tops of the gable tiles.

The roofs and walls are covered with flat Actua Duplex clay roof tiles. Each is

This profile also keeps the edges watertight.

distinguished from the next by alternating pairs of roof tile colours: red and grey

The quality of the site has undoubtedly benefited from the

or red and slate. Red for the body of the house; grey and slate defining the

precision of the prefabricated wooden frame (chosen in fact

outer volumes, depending on the type of house (T2 to T5). For the architect,

because of the poor load-carrying capacity of the ground).

M. Laperrelle of Kn’L Architecture, the dialogue maintained continuously from

Laying the clay roof tiles was greatly helped by precise layout

the start of the project until the families moved in was the key element in rede-

plans, unavoidable in this type of project.

veloping the village for its inhabitants and in the success of the social project it Project

was part of.

37 maisonettes, Kingersheim in Alsace (France)

Architect

Thermal solar panels embedded into the roofs

Kn’L Architecture, Mathieu Laperrelle and Philippe Koscielski, Rouffach

The living areas in the houses are organised around a wood-burning stove, with a network for distributing sufficient heat to warm the rooms, thanks to

Main contractor

Domial, Altkirch

Roofing contractor

Charles Schoenenberger, Colmar

Clay roof tile

Koramic Actua Duplex, red, grey and slate engobe

33

>

[Poland]

Discreet Manor House Charm

Company headquarters styled as an Interwar period villa

34

Building Value

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