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01-147
DESIGN BOARD OFFICES
AND STUDIOS
/ UCCLE (BRUSSELS)
/ 1986–1987
/ 1988–1989
There is a certain kinship between the Design Board
offices and the Farr house, insofar as the ‘tight’ wooden
framework of the main facade evokes the near obses-
sive repetition of the structural concept, which will
become one of Philippe Samyn’s favourite themes,
much like the subtle treatment of natural and artificial
light. There is also the use of metal roofing, which is
now routinely used in many projects and buildings.
In a sense, this construction is a trial run of the Samyn
style, despite the singularity of the cross-section and
the apse, which closes the elongated wing of the
offices. The strict dimensions of the masonry and the
systematised formats of the panels no doubt allowed
for a virtually waste- and rubble-free construction. Built
as an extension of a traditional house in the suburbs
of Brussels, and nestled into the modest scale of its
surroundings, the Design Board offices demonstrate
an interesting way of fitting into the landscape without
disrupting its scale. The sequence leading from
the threshold of the villa to the new offices displays
a progressive entry into a new architectural world.
The furniture was entirely designed by the architect.
The cubic building planned for the south-east end of
the plot was unfortunately not constructed. The project
reveals an interesting treatment of the diagonal in solv-
ing the problems of internal movement and the freeing
up of space through a series of columns placed around
the edges. Philippe Samyn was frequently to use this
structural design, notably for the social services centre
and crèche in Brussels
(01-413)
.
General floor plan
First phase
Second phase (unbuilt)
Second phase (unbuilt)