Leisure site Londerzeel
Practical, low-key, adaptable
As the client expressed a desire to self-build much of the furniture, we took this as an important guideline in developing the interiors. We design straightforward furniture which can be built by volunteers with minimal technical knowledge. To this end we provide basic plans and assembly manuals. We propose simple materials such as plywood which can be easily machined and manipulated but also present a contemporary look and feel.
To allow for the possibility of changing layout configurations quickly and easily, it was requested that the majority of the furniture pieces would be mobile. Instead of the conventional — but costly — solution of fitting wheels under every piece of furniture, we designed them so they could be moved around easily using a common manual pallet jack. Not only does this prevent accidental or mischievous moving around of furniture, the lifting capacity of these jacks is very high — making them suitable to move around heavy loads such as bookcases etc.
The studiolo: a room as inhabitable furniture
We are inspired by the renaissance concept of the “studiolo”, an often wood-panelled room or inhabitable piece of furniture destined for study and contemplation. We interpret this as a space-embracing wooden bookcase which is fitted inside the basic structure of the building, demarcating the library zone. This sets a new and consistent datum level beneath the beams. Window openings are cut out of this bookshelf layer to make way for seating nooks, door openings are subtracted so one enters the library “through” the bookcase. Towards the open stair void the shelves have a transparent backing so books are visible from the entrance, acting as a visual advert for the library.
The bookcase layer sets up a consistent grid, which defines where free standing elements are to be located within the library space. These include mobile free-standing bookshelves, crates and display cases of varying height. In between are seating corners, with vintage seating furniture and carpets striking a more domestic note.
A nod to history
In our design we subtly pay respect to the building’s previous incarnation as a fire station. In line with the robust character of the space we use industrial PVC curtains as flexible dividers between different zones, both in the library downstairs and in the multifunctional and meeting spaces elsewhere. In a more obvious reference, the cafeteria showcases an old firetruck as a giant ready-made sculpture.
The former hose tower (for drying of the firehoses) gets a playful infill with ladders and platforms for children to climb — although adults might also be tempted by the panoramic views at the top. The grease pit becomes a reading pit with netted platforms suspended above it. Both these features invite children to play, to explore and to interact. But they also allow them to find their own quiet corner, carve their own niche and get lost in the fantasy world of a book.
