WORKSHOP BUILDING - architeria.eu

WORKSHOP BUILDING
Photographs by: Allard van der Hoek

The workshop building is located in a context of sculptural industrial buildings along the Albertkanaal,
a canal connecting the cities of Antwerp and Luik. Our task was to design an inexpensive building
that houses an extraordinary multitude of functions: a concierge apartment, an office space,
a meeting room, a cafeteria, changing rooms, a wood- and a metal workshop, a garage and
an outside storage space.

In order to keep the plot free of clutter, we decided to integrate the storage zone into the volume,
literally increasing the substance of the workshop building. The required fence around the plot “shrinks
to fit”: Instead of encircling the whole plot, it becomes a protective skin for the building. In fact it forms
an inexpensive façade with an intriguing moiré effect, through which its black hypodermis, consisting
of insulation material, remains visible.

Inside, the workshops and storage spaces are situated in the body and tail of the building, while the more
complex functions are fittingly located in its head. An incision marking the main entrance splits the head into
two: One part facing the West and containing the cafeteria and office space, the other facing the South
and housing the concierge apartment which has a loggia looking out over the canal. The result is
a beastlike structure that can easily compete with its older neighbours when it comes to sculptural
shape and recognizability.


> Client: Dienst Scheepvaart, Hasselt, BE
> Design: Miguel Loos (LOOS architects) in collaboration with HUB Team: Sara Strux, Joost Verheus,
Nono van der Veen, Michael Durgerdam, Dorothee Holtgrewe, Katarina Vranova
> Contractor: Brebuild, Antwerpen
> Structural engineer: Bureau Architectuur en Stabiliteit, Hasselt
> Technical Advisors: Bureau Bouwtechniek, Antwerpen
> Design - realization: 2002-2006
> Building costs: € 1.3000.000 (excl. VAT)
> Floor area: 2.375 m2