Houthof

In the center of Sint-Lenaarts, on the site where a few outdated buildings still stand today, a new village center will soon be created. The Houthof project builds on the village architecture of the Kempen region, but translates that familiar atmosphere into a contemporary design. Red brick, gabled roofs, and fine details such as wooden front doors and zinc rain gutters give the buildings a recognizable and warm appearance. At the same time, subtle variations in volumes, terraces, and brickwork create a contemporary layering that makes the whole fresh and lively. 

 At the heart of the project is a green inner area that will be landscaped as a beguinage garden. This square forms an open and car-free space that invites people to relax and meet. Residents and visitors will find space for play, a chat with neighbors, or simply a moment of silence under the existing trees, which have been carefully preserved, and where new ones have been integrated into the design. The square will thus become the front garden of the entire project, a green lung in the center of Sint-Lenaarts where village life can unfold naturally. 

Houthof is designed to connect. A new passageway for pedestrians and cyclists connects Dorpsstraat with Fruithoflaan and opens up the inner area to the entire community. The project balances public, communal, and private zones, creating a variety of places that encourage interaction without compromising privacy. The houses and apartments fit seamlessly into this design, contributing to a lively yet intimate living environment. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

The history of the site will also be incorporated into the design. The historic locomotive Het Duveltje, once a familiar sight in the brickworks of Sint-Lenaarts, will return to the village. It will be placed next to the entrance of one of the buildings and beautifully illuminated, accompanied by information about its past. In this way, it will serve as a tangible reminder that anchors the collective memory of the site in its new surroundings. 

 Houthof wants to be more than just a residential project. It is a piece of village where old and new merge, where architecture and landscape reinforce each other, and where the community takes center stage. The result is a secure piece of village that is rich in experience and quality. A new home in the heart of Sint-Lenaarts, firmly anchored in the soul of the village. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)