27th International conference on

Passive and Low Energy Architecture

Visit of sustainable Buildings

Wednesday 13 July, 11:15 - 15:15 or Thursday 14 July, 11:15 - 15:15

STERRENVELD | Renovation of social housing building
Arch.: Quirynen Jacobs Architecten | Eng.: RCR studiebureau

This apartment block, part of the Ban Eik garden city project, was the winning design of an architectural competition in 1959. Most of the 417 residences are single family houses alongside two identical tall apartment blocks, Zonneveld and Sterrenveld, and two smaller blocks. A good mix of diversity of functions and a district heating system for the whole neighbourhood made this an exemplary project in the sixties.
After 30 years apartment blocks were completely worn and out of date. They were built from cheap construction materials and were poorly maintained. When the regional social housing company "GM voor Volkshuisvesting" took over the Ban Eik, the decision was made to refurbish the whole neighbourhood. Sterrenveld and Zonneveld were slated for demolition. However, a new urban planning law forbade new construction higher than 3 levels. Considering this, planers decided that the building structure was sound, so they opted for a thorough renovation. Stimulated by the Flemish Government through a call for pilot projects, the renovation took a holistic view of sustainability. Energy loss was minimized with insulation, heat recovery and thermal bridge alleviation. Complementing this were solar collectors and photovoltaic panels. The social network of the neighbourhood was to be revitalized through wise use of architectural and urban planning tools.