A beguinage typology: a green courtyard free of cars

Wydbosch social housing

Geel

A courtyard figure creates a distinct place in heterogeneous surroundings. The secluded garden forms a collective space, accessible from the street side through certain incisions marked by the small towers. The front gardens act as a transition area from public to private, as in a beguinage. The design forms one part of a masterplan by BUUR, office for urbanism. All living rooms connect the front and back garden and create an extra relationship between the courtyard and the gardens. In this way there is an interesting interaction between the intimate, rural condition of the courtyard and the surrounding diffuse urban landscape. The 61 houses have a communal energy supply system.

  • Design teamDirk Somers, Isabel Dedeurwaerdere, Eline Aerts & Jana Hlavova
  • LocationGeel
  • Year2014-2017
  • PhotographyYannick Milpas
  • In collaboration withDe Architectengroep