Vandenpeereboom – Arc-en-Ciel
Photo: Tim Van de Velde Photography
The Arc-en-Ciel project is located in Molenbeek between Chaussée de Gand and Gare de l’Ouest in a district currently undergoing major transformation. It is one of two CLTB pilot projects and was built with passive architecture. The Arc-en-Ciel group was formed in 2012 and after 5 years of preparation, the 32 families moved into their homes in February 2020!
Throughout the process, the households have been intensively involved in the project, including the architectural design. They were at the heart of the planning and preparations (management of the co-ownership, reflections on energy consumption, drafting of a charter describing the different households’ shared values, etc.), with the aim of ultimately managing the building themselves in the future.
Arc-en-Ciel families are actively involved in their neighbourhood!
Since 2018, the group has been organising a monthly flea market and are thus actively involved in the life of the neighbourhood.
Aligned with the philosophy of the CLT model, the concept of habitat is not just limited to housing and is rather part of a broader living environment. The social relationships and the physical anchoring of families were therefore important aspects of the project.
Rue Vandenpeereboom 22 et Rue des Etangs Noirs 121-133
1080 Molenbeek St-Jean
Building programme:
- 32 apartments from 1 to 4 bedrooms
- Multi-purpose space shared with an association
- Community garden
- Parking spaces
Client: Fonds du Logement
Architect: Asso. momentanée K&R (architectural office Stekke+fraas – Atelier 229)
Contractor: Thomas & Piron
A touching testimony from Driss Soussi, resident-owner of Arc-en-Ciel: