Huis van Hamme
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Project developer

VDD PROJECT
DEVELOPMENT

Heritage developer VDD Project Development focuses on the modern-day redevelopment and revaluation of valuable historical sites at top locations. It aims to preserve historical buildings by giving them a new future. Special attention goes to creating a new architecture in harmony with the historical context, the quality of the living spaces and sustainability. This paves the way for leverage projects, which create added value for the broader environment.

In previous years it has showcased this expertise through resounding references such as the ‘Weyler Barracks’ and ‘Huise van Hamme’ in Bruges, ‘The Dome’, ‘Gesù’ and ‘de Mérode’ in Brussels, the ‘Saint Agnes Convent’ in Ghent and the ‘Dome District’ in Breda.

More info available at the website: www.vddprojectdevelopment.com

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Design architect

David Chipperfield
Architects

To realise this prestigious project VDD is drawing on the services of the British architectural firm David Chipperfield Architects. Since their formation in 1985, David Chipperfield Architects have developed a varied international portfolio of cultural, residential, commercial and educational buildings, as well as private projects and urban master plans.

For years the firm has enjoyed world fame for its sensitive restorations, including 14 projects at 12 UNESCO world-heritage locations. Major projects include the ‘Neues Museum’ and the ‘Neue National Galerie’ in Berlin, the ‘Royal Academy of Arts’ and the former American Embassy in London.

David Chipperfield Architects has won more than fifty international prizes and distinctions for excellence in architecture, including very recently the Pritzker Architecture Prize, also known as the "Nobel Prize for Architecture", the Stirling Prize issued by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the Mies van der Rohe Award (European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture) and the Deutscher Architeckturpreis. In 2011 David Chipperfield received the RIBA Royal Gold Medal and in 2013 the Praemium Imperiale, both in recognition of his life's work.

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    Royal Academy of Arts

    London, Great-Britain
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    Neues museum

    Berlin, Germany

David Chipperfield Architects were chosen for the breadth of their experience in the renovation and reconversion of existing buildings, and the care and subtlety with which they introduce change. This approach is also in evidence in ‘Le Grand Hôtel’, given its important architectural and historical value. Additionally, their strong theoretical approach and analysis generates a deep understanding of the building’s potential, from which the solution emerges along a natural path. The British architect approaches the historical background of the buildings with deep respect, while at the same time understanding it as an open field of play. His sober and symbolic architecture combines innovation and conservation in an extremely intelligent way. The firm stands for high-quality, contemporary architecture with a sound interpretation of the spatial context and a tremendous sensitivity to detail and poetic value.

More info available at the website: www.davidchipperfield.com

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Staircase circa 1920
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Staircase after World War II
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Staircase after restoration

TEAM OF
TOP EXPERTS

The project was undertaken with specialist partners, all of whom excel in their individual fields.

And it would not have been possible without the collaboration of the Flanders Heritage Agency and Nieuwpoort town council.

Origin Architecture & Engineering is an architectural and stability consultant that specialises in the restoration, renovation, modernisation and redevelopment of buildings or sites of heritage value. The core task at Origin is to assure a future for the richness of the past.

Origin insists on detailed, preparatory, historical, architectural and technical studies in order to carry out the (restoration and evolutionary) work in a way that reveals and amplifies the qualities and peculiarities of the heritage.

Origin has a workforce of thirty-six and has built up an exceptional internal expertise over almost 20 years. Many of its employees have Master’s degrees in conservation/restoration and several of its partners are lecturers at universities around the country (UA, UC, Louvain, Ghent University, ULB and VUB).

Origin has a very diverse portfolio, from statues to sites, from mediaeval structures to modernist architecture … It has worked on the restoration of emblematic buildings such as the ‘Atomium’, the ‘Africa Museum’ in Tervuren, Antwerp City Hall, the ‘Hallen Complex’ and the ‘Belfort’ in Bruges.

More information can be found at the website: www.origin.eu

Bureau Bouwtechniek is a technical design and advice consultancy for architecture, technical and sustainable renovation and technical advice. Besides providing construction guidance and support for architects and clients, Bureau Bouwtechniek specialises in custom recommendations in relation to EPB, sustainability, safety coordination, energy feasibility studies, fire, façade restoration and design.

Bureau Bouwtechniek often undertakes projects in partnership with international star architects thanks to its expertise in bringing the designs in line with the Belgian legislation. References include the Het Predikheren City Library in Mechelen in collaboration with Korteknie Stuhlmacher Architecten and Callebaut Architecten (that won the Heritage Prize in 2020), the Zuiderzicht residential and hotel tower, Antwerp, in collaboration with KCAP Architects&Planners & evr-architecten, the Elisabeth Center Antwerp in collaboration with SimpsonHaugh and Partners, the New Port House in collaboration with Zaha Hadid Architects and the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) in collaboration with Neutelings Riedijk Architecten.

At present Bureau Bouwtechniek is working on: Middelkerke Casino in collaboration with ZJA and DELVA, the ‘Royal Museum of Fine Arts’ Antwerp in collaboration with Kaan architecten, Antwerp City Hall in collaboration with HUB and Origin, the ‘Royale Belge’ in Brussels, the ‘Old Court of Justice, Antwerp’ in collaboration with HUB and Origin, and several residential towers at the New South Antwerp site (in collaboration with DRDH Architects, Shigeru Ban Architects and Johannes Norlander Arkitektur).

Interior architect Arjaan De Feyter graduated from the Henry Van de Velde Institute in Antwerp in 1999. Almost immediately after graduating he started his own design bureau. Since 2006 he has taught interior architecture at the University of Antwerp's department of Architectural Sciences.

Arjaan De Feyter's office is situated on the Kanaal site - Axel Vervoordt's distillery conversion - and specialises in the custom design of total concepts to meet the individual needs of the interior. His work is marked by a love of purity, the use of high-end materials and a wonderful eye for detail. The emphasis is on calming, minimalist design, stripped of excesses but without sacrificing functionality or comfort. The story and allure of the building are central to this.

More information is available on the website: www.arjaandefeyter.be

The project was undertaken in collaboration with specialist partners, all of whom excel in their individual fields, such as Mouton for the stability report, hp engineers for the technical installations and sustainability concepts and Macobo Stabo for acoustic optimisation.

And it would not have been possible without the collaboration of the Flanders Heritage Agency and Nieuwpoort town council.