Transformation of Maison Nazareth includes the establishment of a daycare center for elderly individuals with 15 spots, a residential facility for handicapped individuals with 6 rooms, and 5 student apartments. Additionally, there will be the construction of a 150-bed nursing and care home, 3 semi-underground parking lots, a 24-unit senior living facility, a nursery with 42 spots, and 6 medical spaces

‍

At present, the COVID-19 crisis we have endured and the significant challenges facing the senior housing sector, notably the aging population, urge us to reassess our practices and reinvent them.

The ambition is to design a living space that integrates with its temporal dimension through a mixed and innovative program, particularly from an intergenerational perspective. Like a village, the space has been envisioned so that life within it is dynamic and vibrant throughout the day. The multifunctionality of the project offers significant advantages in terms of synergies, particularly in organizational terms.

From an educational standpoint, the architectural quality of the overall project serves to enhance interactions among individuals. Numerous versatile interior spaces will serve as venues for exchanges, including a spacious restaurant at the heart of the project, a media library, an auditorium, and a wellness center, among others.

The exterior surroundings have been meticulously designed to offer equally unique atmospheres, such as a communal park, a therapeutic garden, vegetable gardens, meditative spaces, and play areas.

Through its diversity, this project of public interest will become a significant asset for the City of Namur.

Conversion of a specialized school into an administrative center and construction of an extension

‍

The current structure comprises two wings and a central core, likely designed in response to the plot's shape. The left wing runs parallel to the boundary, while the right wing aligns with Captain Linard Street. These two sections, spanning two levels and featuring gable roofs, are connected by a predominantly single-story central volume.

Modifications to the existing building primarily involve interior refinements. Several bay openings will be added to optimize space and accommodate office reconfigurations. These adjustments will not impact the building's external appearance.

In terms of new construction, careful consideration was given to its placement. The new volume is positioned at the rear of the existing building, nestled between the wings, seamlessly extending the central core while replacing mineral areas. This strategic positioning aims to preserve the vegetation at the plot's rear and minimize visibility from public spaces, thereby respecting the tranquility and visual harmony of the neighborhood. Additionally, the orientation of the new construction aligns with the compositional axes of the existing building.

Renovation of a single-family dwelling and construction of an extension

‍

The project involves minor adjustments to the main body, reconstruction of the first extension, and demolition of the annexes for the development of a new, more spacious volume at the rear facade. To ensure visual coherence, each part of the building utilizes specific materials: red brick is preserved for the main body with blue stone frames, the first extension is clad in wooden siding to blend with the rural environment, and the new single-story construction adopts gray Fiber Cement siding for a contemporary aesthetic.

The interior layout includes functional and comfortable spaces, including an office, living areas oriented towards the garden, a pantry, a laundry room, two spacious shower rooms, and a dressing room adjacent to the master bedroom.

The overall goal of the project was to enhance the aesthetics, functionality, and architectural harmony of this dwelling.

Extension of 20 beds to a nursing and care home and construction of an 11-unit senior living residence

‍

PROGRAMMING STUDY

The project entails three main components: transformation, demolition, and construction. The Retirement Home, currently featuring 20 double rooms, aims to individualize them by adding 20 new single rooms. The goal is to enhance resident accommodations. Demolition along Rue du Marché will make space for apartment-style Service Residences, diversifying offerings and aligning with the project's life objectives. The current emergency housing building's layout prevents integration of sanitary facilities and compliance with AVIQ regulations, necessitating its inclusion in demolition plans. Landscaping and parking enhancements are needed due to anticipated resident increases. Additionally, the renovation of Sainte-Elisabeth Chapel to accommodate new functions is under consideration and integral to programming definition methodology.

‍

PROJECT PHILOSOPHY AND ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT QUALITY

Our sketch aims to harmoniously integrate the project into its environment by addressing the following challenges:

A - qualitatively architecturing the relationship between existing and projected constructions, while fully exploiting the site's potential such as topography and orientation;

B - imagining an architectural ensemble that will enrich the spatial experience of users and convey to the public space the image of a dynamic, welcoming, and protective establishment;

C - implementing clear, efficient, and accessible operating and access principles for all users;

D - initiating developments and materiality that meet the needs and requirements of their time.

Renovation of a single-family dwelling and construction of an extension

‍

This project aimed to enhance interior comfort, bring an aging building up to code, and improve its overall aesthetic. The 17m2 extension, built with timber framing, features a bright kitchen on the ground floor and a third bedroom with a dressing room and bathroom upstairs, adhering to existing dimensions and the defined budget. The entire project aims to be humble yet ambitious, unassuming at the front and assertive at the rear. The choices of exterior materials, such as white plaster, red brick, and anthracite zinc cladding, comply with urban planning regulations. The anthracite grey aluminum joineries blend harmoniously with the cladding. Despite its enhancement, the intervention remains discreet from the public space of Avenue Jeanne Hachette.

Development of an administrative center for the CPAS of Mouscron

‍

The current site of the CPAS is surrounded by Avenue Royale, Rue Victor Corne, the Mouscron Hospital Center, and private gardens. The existing buildings lack clarity regarding their function, and access and circulation are poorly defined. The project aims to create a new administrative building at 1 Avenue Royale, providing a strong identity and enhanced visibility for the CPAS.

The new construction, housing social, administrative, and technical services, spans across R+2+semi-buried basement levels. The deconstructed volumetrics are clad in white thermolaquered perforated metal panels, ensuring a contemporary and uniform aesthetic. The building is treated as a cohesive whole, visible from all angles, with consistent attention to detail around its perimeter, both in terms of volume and elevation.

Two main entrances, marked by significant openings, structure the front and rear facades, taking into account solar orientation and the immediate environment. The facade walls consist of insulated wooden frame panels, promoting a lightweight structure, while the general post-and-beam construction principle allows for easier adaptability over time.

Project Manager: François ELLEBOUDT

‍

Construction of a single-family dwelling on the banks of the Meuse River

‍

Our architectural approach combines bold elements of a "contemporary" style while maintaining a deep attachment to local traditions. It is a vernacular architecture that harmoniously integrates built forms into their environment. The base, made of local stones, anchors the construction on the plot, protecting it from floods while facilitating the connection between the garden and the functional spaces on the ground floor. The main volume, characterized by white facades, appears to float horizontally on the terrain and generously opens towards the Meuse River through large windows. A sloping slate roof covers and punctuates the architectural development.

Inside, spaces are designed according to needs, sunlight, and views offered on the Meuse. Sloping ceilings, rounded angles, and dynamic aesthetics aim to create a pleasant and naturally flexible environment, in perfect harmony with the inhabitants and their surroundings.

In light of the detailed elements above, the proposed project fits perfectly within the guidelines of the local landscape and contributes to its enhancement and structuring.

Project Manager: François ELLEBOUDT

‍

Construction of an auditorium in Parc Saint-Adrien in collaboration with Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

‍

Gerpinnes, a semi-rural municipality in Wallonia, faces challenges of suburbanization and social fragmentation despite its historic urban core. The Saint Adrien Park, though existing, is underutilized.

Our proposal focuses on integrating the park with the community:

-Creating a distinct meeting place for social cohesion

-Revamping the outdoor esplanade for daily use and local events

-Promoting pedestrian-friendly mobility

-Preserving the park's natural charm and integrating remarkable trees

-Establishing strong connections between the building, park, and surroundings

‍

The design involves a modest, 1,200 m² building that harmonizes with nature. Transparency and a low profile integrate the building seamlessly with the park, facilitating pedestrian flow. Our aim is to rejuvenate Gerpinnes' identity while celebrating its natural and cultural heritage.

Project Manager: François ELLEBOUDT

‍

Construction of a single-family residence

‍‍‍

This project single-family residence in Bois-de-Lessines showcases meticulous architectural design aimed at blending seamlessly with its natural and built surroundings. Careful consideration of solar orientation, neighboring structures, and the plot's unique features guided the placement of the building. Comprising three distinct volumes, each serving specific functions—night, kitchen, and day areas—the residence boasts south-facing living spaces at the rear for optimal outdoor integration and privacy-preserving openings at the front. Employing materials like brick, cedar, and tiles, the project achieves a harmonious coexistence with the local context.

Overall, this architectural endeavor prioritizes both integration and functionality, offering a modern yet natural living space for its occupants.

Project Manager: François ELLEBOUDT

‍

Construction of a single-family residence and a carport

‍

The proposed architectural project takes into account the slope and morphology of the terrain, integrating harmoniously into its natural environment. The distinctive volumetry of the residence, combined with the use of facade materials in perfect coherence with the site, ensures successful integration within the surrounding context. The horizontal lines proposed in the design enhance the dominant characteristics of the landscape, thereby contributing to creating visual coherence with the natural elements of the location.

In line with our commitment to sustainability, the project has been conceived with a focus on overall energy efficiency. Through a clever arrangement of openings, strategically positioned to maximize panoramic views and the influx of natural light, our design fully harnesses available energy resources while preserving the privacy of the occupants. The result is a dwelling that offers a variety of lighting conditions throughout the day while minimizing its environmental impact.

The proposed scale fits perfectly within the guidelines of the surrounding landscape, harmonizing its height and structure with those of neighboring homes. This visual coherence helps maintain the overall aesthetics of the region while providing a contemporary and functional living space for its residents.

Renovation of a residence, creation of a dental practice, and construction of an extension

‍

The existing building was characterized by a main two-story volume, including cellars, crowned by a gabled roof. A second flat-roofed volume, on a single level, was juxtaposed to the latter. The extension we propose aims to rationalize the circulation between these two volumes and reconfigure the different levels by integrating a kitchen on the ground floor and a bathroom upstairs. Our primary intention in this project was to assert the innovative and contemporary character of the extension while highlighting the distinctive yet harmonious relationship between the past and the present. Indeed, we firmly believe that in the context of our cities and countryside, this constant dialogue between the old and the new enriches architectural singularity.

We have endeavored to seamlessly integrate the project into its immediate environment through clean volumetrics and the use of traditional materials. We have opted for a facade of red-brown facing bricks, white rendering, as well as darker-toned exterior joinery to accentuate the volume's details. The project has been meticulously designed to preserve the overall appearance of the existing building while meeting the programmatic requirements of the client.

Construction of a single-family home for elderly individuals

‍

As part of this project, the Owners already had a house and an agricultural shed on the property. Given the size of the plot, the clients wanted to add an additional residence for their retirement years. The main objective was to create a fully autonomous living space on the ground floor, providing optimal accessibility for potential mobility constraints in the future.

The layout of the new home was carefully planned, considering the size constraints imposed by neighboring buildings, while paying particular attention to solar orientation. The project consists of two distinct volumes:

-The first volume, dedicated to the "night zone," extends perpendicular to the street. It comprises two levels and houses three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and utility rooms. This volume is topped with a single-sloped roof and is mostly opaque.

-The second volume, reserved for the "day zone," is designed on a single level and covered with a flat roof. It houses the living spaces and is characterized by a largely glazed rear facade, allowing maximum natural light.

‍

The entire project, with a footprint of approximately 100 square meters, harmoniously integrates into the surrounding environment. This harmony is achieved through streamlined volumetrics and the use of understated and elegant materials, such as red clay bricks for the facing masonry, gray fiber cement panels, black aluminum exterior joinery, and a gray slate roofing. This project aims to be a discreet and functional addition to the existing landscape, providing a comfortable living space for the years to come.

Creation of objects to integrate into a prototype of cooperative housing as part of the event « Lyon 2016, capitale de la terre ».

‍

The objective of this presentation was to formalize and exhibit an innovative work focused on the object, with a dual perspective: on one hand, its integration within the framework of the Terra 2016 World Congress, focusing on the theme "Living together - Doing together," and on the other hand, its role within the Terra Nostra cooperative housing prototype, designed by students from the National Schools of Architecture of Grenoble and Lyon.

This design project was part of an educational approach encompassing awareness-raising issues for the general public regarding current housing challenges. It highlighted the use of bio-sourced materials, the environmental impact of our lifestyles on the planet, and the need to rethink our consumption behaviors to reduce this impact. The guiding theme of my approach was that of "Open Source Design," an approach aimed at democratizing design by providing the public with freely downloadable plans and drawings, thereby enabling everyone to create and customize objects or furniture without relying on a professional.

The main challenge was to design a range of open-source objects for the common spaces of a cooperative housing project. More specifically, it involved developing a library whose design and creation would be accessible to all through computer tools and new resources available in Fab Labs, such as laser cutters and 3D printers.

This project embodies an innovative approach to object design for shared spaces within a cooperative community, promoting active participation of each member in the creation and customization of their environment, while encouraging reflection on the ecological impact of our lifestyle choices.

Work around the body and its limits, the notion of human scale, speed, and decomposition

‍

Exercise in designing sculptures based on capturing sequences of human movements in space and time. This hybrid project, at the intersection of performance, dance, and visual arts, explores the interpretation of body language through the prism of choreography by Korean dancer Lia Kim to the music "Chandelier" by Sia.

In this exercise, I opted for the technique of chronophotography, which involves capturing a succession of images at regular intervals to study movement in sequence. The performance was broken down into 40 frames, with each image becoming a key element of the design process.

These sequences were then inserted into a three-dimensional space, where they were connected, deformed, and manipulated to create a unique object, an organic form where the original movements remain perceptible. This approach translated the shapes and movements of the human body into captivating energetic spaces.

Through this transposition work, the objective was to capture the essence of the choreography in a single physical and tangible entity, creating an experience where the body seems to be frozen in a captivating moment of expression while remaining palpable to the viewer.

In collaboration with Victoria DOLMATOVA (La Martinière Diderot Lyon).

‍

Searching for an application for a new solar panel technology developed by le Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives de Grenoble « CEA tech »

‍

Fictitious scenario:

It is now possible to take a shower on the streets of Grenoble, thanks to a concept that is both innovative and environmentally friendly. This simple initiative offers users access to a heated space for just a symbolic euro, where they can shower, perform their toilette, and even charge their mobile phones. This self-contained booth addresses environmental concerns by heating water using the COSTECO thermo-electric system and using the generated energy to power the entire shower. As for hygiene, everything has been designed to ensure a clean and welcoming environment: the Cleany booth is automatically cleaned after each use, and the wastewater is filtered and reused for watering nearby plants. Initially designed for urban areas, this project aims to serve a variety of audiences, with a focus on the homeless, travelers, and people in transit. The first prototypes have been deployed in partnership with SNCF, near the central station in Grenoble.‍

‍

Technology for a more environmentally friendly future:

This project relies on the COSTECO system developed by the CEA in Grenoble. These showers are fully autonomous, thanks to thermo-electric technology based on cogeneration. A set of mirrors reflects photons onto an absorber, thus producing hot water, around 360 liters per day, as well as energy. Each booth offers an average of ten showers per day, and the generated energy is sufficient to make the system independent of external energy sources. Additionally, an outlet has been installed to allow the daily charging of approximately forty mobile phones.

‍

A manifesto project:

This project highlights a crucial issue of our time: the transition to renewable energies. Our planet shows signs of depletion, with Earth's annual resources being exhausted eight months earlier this year than the previous year. It is imperative to rethink our world and our technologies to offer an alternative to the constant growth in our society's energy demand.

Experimental work exploring smooth and striped textures with unlimited, repetitive, omnidirectional patterns, where the unity is lost within its complexity.

‍

The course taught by Tchely Hyung-Chul SHIN has led us to observe that today, unlike in previous centuries, motifs and ornamentation have lost their prominent place in architecture, design, and urban planning. This evolution can be explained by the omnipresence of formal purity that characterized modernity after World War II, followed by the minimalist aesthetic that ensued.

The exercise proposed involved studying the construction logic of two textures, drawing inspiration from both natural and artificial phenomena. The first texture, named "Smooth," featured an unlimited, open, disordered, and fluid pattern, where unity was lost within its complexity. For my analysis, I chose to prioritize the size of elements within a bone structure to evaluate their repetition frequency and interaction. The strength of this composition lay not in its outline but in its inherent materiality.

The second texture, named "Striated," exhibited a repetitive, closed, ordered, measurable, and omnidirectional pattern. I selected the structure of a melon's skin, characterized by its alternation of solid and void areas, reminiscent of a map or landscape seen from above.

Following a thorough analysis and various manipulations aimed at making these textures more orderly or complex, the task was to transcribe them at three different scales: the scale of territory, architecture, and finally, object. The use of textures reflects a return to humanity's primitive need to create patterns on surfaces. Through a motif, we delve into the very essence of humanity.

In collaboration with Émilie BELGRADO, Salim BOULOS, Alena DONICHENKO, and Amélie MARCHAND.

‍

"Au bout du fil" was one of the winning projects of the 2015 Student Competition of the "Fête des Lumières de Lyon"

‍

Conceived within the context of an exhibition on the silk weavers (canuts), held at the Municipal Archives of the City, this installation aimed to reinvent space through its form and color. The project emerged from experiments conducted in collaboration with Hervé AUDIBERT at the Grands Ateliers de l'Isle d'Abeau. The aim of these experiments was to capture the essence of a moment through the illumination of a space, based on a personal interpretation of a haiku. This phase of exploration opened doors to a wide range of possibilities in terms of lighting, both in terms of scenic equipment and the effects related to color, intensity, and saturation.

‍

This workshop, combined with our analysis of Lyon's history, guided us towards an in-depth exploration of the theme of silk threads. The project's composition is characterized by the illumination of numerous strings of varying lengths. Beams of light from strategically positioned projectors partially transform these cords, animating them as if they were "alive". Once illuminated, they reveal at their ends a form evoking a silkworm. The visual experience offered to visitors aims to be both sensory and mysterious. The choice of color holds particular significance in the project's design. The selection of red echoes the history of the weavers in the Croix-Rousse district, who played a major role in the city's development in the 16th century.

‍

Unfortunately, the tragic events of November 13, 2015, suspended the festivities, inevitably leading to the interruption of project funding.

Heterotopia: what architecture for other spaces?

Under the supervision of Mrs. Lydia BOLLEN and Prof. Dr. Damien DARCIS

‍

During a trip to Japan in 2014, a chance encounter with Agathe at a youth hostel in Kyoto profoundly influenced my journey. Agathe, then a student of photography at the Arts-Déco in Paris, and I decided to explore an abandoned amusement park in Nara to capture unique moments. It was there, on the metro heading towards Osaka, that a conversation about spaces hosting a peculiar reality arose, sparked by the ideas of Michel Foucault on "heterotopias". This dialogue ignited my curiosity and led me to choose this topic for my final thesis.

‍

My research quickly focused on the concept of heterotopia, exploring how these physical spaces can stand out from the world around them, what rules and temporality govern them, and above all, how their architecture can be innovative by drawing inspiration from Foucauldian concepts.

By exploring the etymology of the term "utopia", composed of the Greek prefix "heteros" meaning "other" and "topos" meaning "place", I traced its evolution from the writings of Plato to the modern essays of Yona Friedman. Utopia, this ideal imaginary place, has traversed the ages, inspiring thought, particularly in architecture.

In the 1960s, the concept of heterotopia emerged, piquing the interest of architects. Michel Foucault formulated this idea of "other places" during his radio debates, shedding light on an often overlooked aspect of architecture. He described these places as counter-spaces, places that are "absolutely different" and interact with our daily lives in a unique way.

‍

The analysis of architectural samples, from Z33 to the city of Louvain-la-Neuve, reveals a surprising diversity of architectural approaches. These places, although different, share a common ambition to break away from the everyday, to provoke unique sensations and emotions in those who frequent them.

The challenge now lies in creating "emotional architecture", inspired by heterotopia. Rethinking our homes, drawing inspiration from these concepts, could open up new perspectives on how we build and inhabit our environments.

This work has enriched my understanding of utopia and has redefined my vision of architecture, leading me to recognize that buildings are not mere structures, but living spaces in constant dialogue with the human body.

In collaboration with Matthias TORO‍

Journey of physical and mental connections of a forgotten heritage in Southern Grand Mons

‍

Preface

Architectural projections onto territory should be inclusive, aiming to sensitize, reveal, and provoke rather than impose personal visions. The goal is to foster knowledge sharing and social-cultural engagement.

Approach

Focused on Line 109, a defunct railway from Mons to Chimay, the study examines a seven-kilometer stretch, highlighting two significant sites: the "Black Point" with Mont de l’Héribus and the "White Point" with the disused chalk quarry of Harmignies.

Interventions

The study reveals potential interventions to enhance user experience, including parking and entry point development, robust signage, access reorganization, green and blue connections, artistic barriers, traffic management, and quarry rehabilitation. The aim is to create a meaningful, sustainable visitor experience, highlighting both landscape and historical elements.