Physio centre and apartment in Court-Saint-Étienne

In Court-Saint-Étienne, in the Walloon Brabant province, STARC designed a mixed-use project combining the new construction of a physiotherapy centre with a residential apartment and the conversion of the existing practice into a studio and office, all carefully integrated within the surrounding neighbourhood fabric.

The new building is set back from the street, aligning with the corner of the adjacent building to free up space for a generous parking area accommodating up to eighteen vehicles in total, including six spaces under a carport on the neighbouring plot. The massing is compact and restrained, with a contemporary projecting volume on the front facade marking the ground-floor physiotherapy centre, articulated through a generous opening and a timber cladding that contrasts with the surrounding brickwork. This interplay of volumes creates, at first-floor level, a circulation gallery and a planted terrace on the rear facade.

Material choices were guided by the local architectural context: an anthracite grey slate roof, brick elevations and light grey window frames enter into dialogue with the neighbouring built environment. The facade composition relies on a disciplined vertical alignment of openings, while large windows on the rear elevation bring natural light and a wide outlook over the garden to the apartment's living spaces.

Soberly integrated both in its scale and materiality, the project successfully addresses the functional demands of a medical and residential programme while respecting the architectural qualities of this Walloon Brabant neighbourhood.

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