咖啡店丨Architecten De Bruyn

The project gives a new face to a small-scale corner plot in the middle of the city center of Aalst. The typology of the urban corner also plays a central role. Even more than in public squares, corners flow from intersections, intersecting lines, the elementary feature of traveling between places. That is why this small corner plot harbors so much potential within the small-town context of Aalst. The corner is put to maximum use in this design.

The project is formed by a pared-down stack of three entities and functions interwoven with each other. The limited area combined with an extensive program and various (urban) building constraints necessitate compact and hyper-functional design and construction. Not a single square meter goes to waste. Within the small surface area, a thorough, functional puzzle is put together that can still guarantee sufficient architectural qualities. A central patio/light street provides light to all levels and the common stairwell. Light, transparency, and connection between all functions is a focal point.

The ground floor and, most of the underground building layer comprise the restaurant ‘Wally’. The restaurant is conceived as a compact, open seating and cooking space. The window openings are set at seating height so that the façade can be largely opened up without losing seats. The first floor houses a multifunctional co-working space. This office space, with a separate toilet and kitchenette, on the first floor is also conceived as one open space with wide views over the neighboring square and a connection to the covered entrance area. At the very top is a two-bedroom flat.

Within the design, honest and simple materialization was central. Spanish brick was used for the exterior walls in different formats. The variation in color tones in the bricks and the use of different masonry dressings add playfulness to the design. The load-bearing masonry walls and concrete elements are permanently visible. Rough construction is finishing. In all its beauty and its flaws. Complementing the raw construction textures, the interior is finished with wooden accents, a colorful terrazzo floor, and green-grey steel accents. By focusing on simple, honest, and budget-friendly materials, an attempt is made to create a less-is-more whole. Rough construction is finished without being too rough. Through these various concrete design choices, the building forms a perfect interpretation of a new corner. It inscribes itself within the architecture of the surrounding buildings without being showy but nevertheless stands out.

Architects: ：

Architecten De Bruyn

Lead Architects: Joris De Bruyn

Photographs: Johny Umans