Basic HTML Version
186
#
01-265
RESTORATION
AND CONVERSION
OF STASSART FARM
/ UCCLE (BRUSSELS)
/ 1991
/ 1992–1993
When Philippe Samyn acquired Stassart Farm for his
offices, the building, located on the road between
Waterloo and Uccle, was in ruins. A few sections of
wall, wooden flooring and fragments of handsome roof
beams were the only clues as to the original layout of
this traditional square-format farm. Similar farms can still
be found between Uccle and the plains of Waterloo, all
the way, with some variations, to the Meuse valley. A
central courtyard (originally used for keeping manure and
now turned into a pond), a main house and outbuildings
for animals and carts formed a relatively closed space,
where one could dream of creating a haven for peaceful
and harmonious work. The architectural language adopt-
ed by Philippe Samyn for this large-scale rehabilitation
incorporated several traditional rural references, including
exposed brick walls and sloping roofs built on a conven-
tional framework painted white like the masonry. This is
not, however, about creating a faux vieux or picturesque
look, nor is it about folk or regional architecture. As in one
of his first achievements
(01-008, 1974)
, Philippe Samyn
turns to these traditional and familiar architectural ele-
ments in order to transcend them in his own way, much
like some of the best architects of the post-war period.
The current arrangement of Stassart Farm is organised
over three levels. The ground floor areas are primarily
devoted to the architect’s own office, meeting rooms,
administrative offices, libraries, printing room, model dis-
play area, café and guest quarters for visitors. The upper
levels are completely given over to drawing plans and
creating specifications. The building is separated from
the Waterloo road (a high-speed route) by a hornbeam
hedge and a small area planted with periwinkle and rows
of lindens. Access to the tree-lined parking area – where
geometry already reigns – runs perpendicular to the road.
Stassart Farm prior to renovation works
Current view