Community center E.

Client: Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie
Location: Elsene
Realization: 2011 – 2022
Design team: Tom Verschueren, David Driesen, Gert-Jan Schulte, Lukas Versteele, Rob Naulaers, Ine Papen
Structural engineer: ASB
Engineer Techniques: Boydens Engineering
Photography: Goedele De Wilde
Size: 2800 m²
Publications


Subtle interventions, major impact
Elzenhof is one of the community centers of the Flemish Community Commission, the hub of the Flemish community in Brussels. The center is a meetings place where you can go for workshops, a cafeteria, meetings, small theater companies, music… Kind & Gezin also has a department there. Elzenhof consists of three historically valuable townhouses that radiate grandeur. Over the years, various interventions have been made in the buildings to improve the facilities. The assignment that was assigned to dmvA through a competition is part of this step-by-step improvement process.

The program of requirements consisted of the reorganization of the entrance area, the transformation of the attic into a multifunctional rehearsal room or art workshop, a large roof terrace by the cafeteria and the connection between the center and the garden via a wide underground staircase. The dark basement has been transformed into a light multifunctional space that can serve, for example, as a crèche, but also as a stage with the stairs as a grandstand. The interventions are subtle but have a major impact on the functioning of the community center.

The program of requirements consisted of the reorganization of the entrance area, the transformation of the attic into a multifunctional rehearsal room or art workshop, a large roof terrace by the cafeteria and the connection between the center and the garden via a wide underground staircase. The dark basement has been transformed into a light multifunctional space that can serve, for example, as a crèche, but also as a stage with the stairs as a grandstand. The interventions are subtle but have a major impact on the functioning of the community center.