Omloop

Densifying and greening

Along the northern curve of the fork-shaped main road that surrounds the area, LEVS designs nearly 300 homes. 75% of these are social rental, 25% mid-rent. This significantly densifies the area. Additionally, a new vision is developed for the place that can and must have greenery in such a project: nature-inclusive and biodiverse. 

Furthermore, we ensure within the design a human scale and a clear embedding in the surrounding fabric. Just like two previously realized plans of ours in the adjacent Fruitbuurt, Omloop strives for an exceptionally high quality of materialization, resulting in a recognizable, cohesive area. Thus, Omloop acts as a repair of the neighborhood, a careful intervention in the existing urban fabric.

Four sub-areas, one vision

The area consists of four sub-areas: the Alt, the Tenor, the Soprano, and the Bass. The long volumes surround the curve of Omloop on both sides, each as part of a different building block. Within the Tenor, there is a separate wooden building volume in the back area of the inner curve that is connected via the inner garden. Each must thus connect with the immediate neighbors. Nevertheless, we bring a continuity that gives the curve as a whole a complete character. Height, articulation, and materialization forge it into one whole.

Wood construction

Behind the main road, in a side street behind the Tenor apartment block, twelve special single-family homes will be realized. The facade does not reveal it, but behind the bricks of the houses are walls and floors of CLT: modern wood construction that seamlessly integrates with the workers' houses in the existing urban fabric. In this way, we can realize our sustainability ambitions without compromising the broader urban and cultural-historical character of the environment.

The human scale

Along the long lines of the Omloop, low urban street walls and small, low-defined front gardens create an intimate atmosphere. A varying composition of facade elements offers a degree of play that can never be captured in one glance. Sometimes more vertical and sometimes more horizontal, the brick bands and balconies emphasize the layering in the facade. With two colors of brick with plenty of texture, this play is accentuated. At seven points along the street, the facade opens up with a spacious, light main entrance. The masonry around it naturally steps inward to give emphasis to the large glass wall within the pattern.

From tiled garden to climate garden

A typical feature of the original homes here is the individual (front) garden. However, in the existing situation, very few residents maintain a green garden and instead opt for tiles. To make cities more climate-adaptive, which can better cope with heat stress and heavy rainfall, as many surfaces as possible must be greened. In Omloop, it has been decided to create shared green areas instead of individual inner gardens. 

Flux landscape architecture has designed the concept in which the sub-areas are thematically divided. Each has its own planting and organization, but always with attention to important pillars in the nature-inclusive development of urban areas. A large diversity of birds and insects is supported with food and nesting places. Wadi's, infiltration zones in the landscape, accelerate the sinking of rainwater into the soil. Walking paths and seating areas make the areas accessible to residents.

Circular design elements

We ensure smart reuse of materials from the demolished buildings. Bricks and roof tiles are used as filling for the gabions that define the front gardens. Additionally, the recessed facades of the galleries facing the inner area are clad with Resysta facade cladding, a natural and circular composite material consisting of 60% rice husks and has a wooden appearance. On the outside, provisions for climbing plants, such as wisteria, have been installed.