— Project intent
A precise answer to the site and programme.
In Sauvenière, in the province of Namur (Wallonia), STARC designed the new construction of a mixed-use complex combining an industrial hall with office spaces, set back from the road to create a mineral and planted forecourt that mediates between the public realm and the building entrance. This deliberate distance gives the building a confident presence within its semi-rural setting while ensuring a clear legibility of circulation and access.
The composition articulates two distinct volumes: a two-storey office block, carefully detailed on its main facade, and a low, elongated volume housing the industrial hall to the rear, establishing a gradual transition from representation to production. Dark anthracite brick, laid in regular courses, unifies the ensemble and roots the building in a local constructive tradition while lending it a decidedly contemporary restraint.
In contrast, the office block's glazing opens widely at the corner across two levels through a curtain wall with slender black profiles, maximising natural light within the workspaces. The roof overhang, lined with a timber soffit visible from outside, introduces a material warmth that tempers the rigour of the overall composition. Planted borders, concrete paving, and carefully considered threshold treatments complete a measured landscape integration, allowing the complex to stand out without disrupting the surrounding fabric.
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