Kleerroos Herentals
Renovation and transformation of the three residential buildings that were constructed in the 1970s as landmarks in the city of Herentals. The transformation includes the urban integration of the towers into the neighbourhood, along with upgrading the residential buildings in terms of energy requirements, fire safety and quality of living.
Project
Buildings in Western Europe have an average lifespan of 80 to 100 years. This implies that they require thorough renovation at least halfway through their lifespan. This also applies to the Kleerroos public housing project in Herentals. The three existing residential towers were built in the early 1970s as a landmark in the city. The reason for the proposed renovation is that they no longer meet safety requirements regarding fire safety, quality of living and energy efficiency. The renovation of the buildings could be a catalyst for a collective renovation of the entire Kleerroos neighbourhood.
Urban planning level
A first fundamental urban planning ambition is to transform the existing and unused attics on the roofs of the residential buildings into fully-fledged residential units in order to meet the demand for 15 additional residential units. In this way, we avoid unnecessary densification of the green zone between the residential towers. Anchoring the residential towers in the neighbourhood at ground level is essential in this regard: a canopy that embraces the residential buildings and mediates between the large and small scales forms the connecting backbone between the green areas and the buildings. This defines a formal front zone and an informal rear zone. The canopy also contains the pipes that connect the buildings to the central collective heat pump. Finally, we are transforming the existing car park into a bicycle parking facility with a high-quality green zone.
Building level
At building level, we are cherishing the existing, robust shell. The interior design is being optimised with a new vision for the kitchen, bathroom and storage room. We are replacing the existing terraces with spacious, generous terraces with new fire escapes on both sides of the buildings. In this way, the existing stigmatising facades are being transformed and insulated in accordance with current fire standards and contemporary requirements. Solar panels will be integrated (BIPV) into the new facade design. Finally, we will soften the immediate surroundings of the buildings and move the parking to the corner of the street, so that the areas between the residential buildings can be greened as much as possible.
This thorough renovation with continued occupancy will extend the life of the buildings by at least half a century. The quality of life of the 130 residential units will be thoroughly improved. In this way, we are preserving the neighbourhood for decades to come.