In the rolling landscape of the Pajottenland, near Gooik, an old fruit farm was converted into a new educational center.
The landscape, its heritage and culture are closely interwoven.
Preserving and strengthening that fragile balance was one of the big challenges of the project.
A conservatory was designed covering the old farmstead and its outbuildings as a protective gesture.
This creates a wind-and watertight intermediate environment that welcomes visitors, while the new program is housed in the old buildings.
The old house was converted into offices and a meeting room, the barn into a café with sanitary facilities, and the outbuilding with baking oven was restored.
While the conservatory provides protection in the winter, the single glass and natural ventilation through open panels provide much needed cooling in the summer.
From the start, cultural and design-based sustainability have held a center role.
Sustainability, here, is never the result of far-fetched technical solutions.
CREDITS
PROJECT: Paddenbroek Education Centre
STUDIO: Jo Taillieu Architecten
AREA: 550 m2
LOCATION: Gooik, Belgium
YEAR: 2020
LEAD DESIGNERS: jo taillieu architecten
PHOTOGRAPHS: Filip Dujardin
