Besoyen 社区健身房变身为绿色环保公寓

Architect：Studio Driedubbel

Location：Besoyen, Netherlands; | ;

Project Year：2020

Category：Apartments

This gym was empty for years in Waalwijk. Beautifully situated on a lawn with a hedge, in the old district of Besoyen. Along a continuous cycle path, a former railway line for the then thriving shoe industry in the region 'Langstraat', which originally ran from Den Bosch to Geertruidenberg, therefore also called the 'Halve Zolenlijn' ('Half-Soled Line').

In January 2018, the town of Waalwijk launched a competition for the redesignation of this area, where the gym could be demolished. The requirement was that sustainable, affordable housing should be returned and that 600 m2 of greenery would have been maintained.

However, demolition is not sustainable and this gym, built in 1970, was unique in its design because the gym is on legs and the yellow brick forms a cheerful element in its environment and marks the street to the hospital. Worth redesigning, studio Driedubbel says. In the new plan, the lawn in front of the building will also be maintained as much as possible, so that the adjacent apartment complex will retain its view. Both the municipality and local residents (neighborhood participation) chose the plan of studio Driedubbel as the winner!

The gym was part of the sports accommodation of the 'Willem van Oranjecollege' a highschool. A few years ago, the building was also converted into apartments and ground-level houses were built on the sports fields. Redesignation of this nice building would certainly not be out of place at this location.

2 (senior) apartments have been made under the legs of the gym, each with a spacious terrace. The dressing rooms will be demolished for this purpose, but the reception hall and staircase will remain intact. On the first floor, in the formal gym room, are 4 apartments with 2 floors. These are all slightly different due to the shape of the building. The high windows in the gym have been maintained, providing extra daylight in the homes. A void also provides sufficient daylight in the back of the houses. In the end walls, 'holes' have been made for daylight and a loggia. Solar panels will be installed on the roof and the houses will be heated all electrically. As a result, the houses are (almost) 0 on the meter.

A communal garden will be built around the gym, which is also accessible to local residents, which is why the total project has been given the name 'Buurten in Besoyen' (Not so good English translation: 'Neighbours have a talk in Besoyen')

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