Construction of an office building in Ernage

In Ernage, in the province of Namur (Wallonia), STARC designed a new building with the typology of a single-family house, fitted out as office space for an accounting firm and completed in 2022. Set back from the national road within the permitted building zone, the structure engages with the natural slope of the site: the parking area and main entrance align with the level of the roadway, while the downward gradient of the land created the opportunity to introduce a garden-level floor, opening directly onto a landscaped outdoor space with unobstructed views.

The architectural language is deliberately contemporary, giving the building a distinct identity that sets it apart from standard residential construction while remaining contextually measured. A four-pitched roof with generous overhangs defines the overall silhouette. The facades are articulated through a play of two materials: brick at ground and garden levels, anthracite cladding on the upper floor. This vertical layering lightens the perceived mass of the volume and avoids any monolithic reading. Although the facade composition is governed by horizontal lines, the window openings are proportioned to encourage a vertical reading, particularly on the front elevation.

The surrounding areas have been surfaced with highly permeable materials to promote rainwater infiltration into the soil. The parking layout was developed in coordination with the relevant mobility authority to ensure safe access from the national road, an adequate number of spaces, and sufficient cycle parking in line with soft mobility principles.

Standing without immediate neighbours, the building integrates naturally into the landscape of Ernage, asserting a clear architectural presence without disrupting its surroundings.

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