Collection

Villers-la-Ville Farm

  • Date 1998 (not realised)
  • Address Avenue Speeckaert, 20 – 1495 Villers-la-Ville

In 1998, as part of a development project for the entire Villers-la-Ville Abbey site, the Walloon Region organised a European competition for the restoration and repurposing of the abbey farm, a listed building whose origins date back to the 16th century. The programme combines offices, garages and premises for archive storage, as well as spaces open to the public such as event venues, relaxation areas, catering facilities and group accommodation. Staff accommodation for a family is also planned. The first phase of the competition concluded with the shortlisting of nine candidates from across Europe, including Belgium, amongst whom were Atelier de l’Arbre d’Or, Daniel Dethier and Charles Vandenhove. Charles Vandenhove’s proposal is fairly simple and aims to be very unobtrusive in its intervention on the historic building. Logically, he has situated all the spaces open to the public (exhibition hall, restaurant, event spaces, etc.) on the ground floor. The first floor is reserved for offices and a few residential units, whilst the top floor is entirely dedicated to sleeping quarters. As for the façades, these are restored and do not undergo any major alterations, with the exception of the interior façades, which are repainted white, and a few reconstructions where the condition of the building requires it. The existing windows are retained, but a few new, discreet openings are planned, notably in the roof, with a few dormer windows in a contemporary style. Perhaps the most spectacular intervention is in the inner courtyard, where Vandenhove called upon Jean-Pierre Pincemin. The artist draws on the principle of polychromatic stonework, as implemented in the Staarzaal project, to create a composition evoking the design of French formal gardens.

  • Description of the collection

    A competition dossier containing correspondence and a presentation dossier.

     
  • Volumetry 1 chemise
  • Bibliography

    Jeanne & Charles Vandenhove Foundation Archives
  • AUTHOR AND DATE OF THE ENTRY Sébastien Charlier, 2023