Lens°ass wins the international Wienerberger Brick Award 2012 for "single-family house".
The Rabbit Hole: Paving brick gives unity from floor to roof
In the category “Single-Family House”, architect Bart Lens impressed the jury with his project in Gaasbeek, Belgium, titled “The Rabbit Hole”, which involved the renovation of a half-collapsed brick farmhouse into a residential area and a veterinary practice. A funnel-shaped annex was built as an intermediate space between the two buildings. The main challenge was how to adapt an old farmhouse to meet today’s residential requirements without destroying its rural character. Bart Lens: “Brick is used here not only as a construction material, but also as a concept reinforcing the existing structure. It is the binding element between the past and the present.” What struck the jury most was the creation of the intermediate space: “It is really inspiring when one stands in the public area looking through this newly created passage where one cannot see what is happening on the other side, so that one has to leave oneself to be led by the light,” says Plamen Bratkov.
International Brick Award
Launched in 2004 the biennial Wienerberger Brick Award recognises innovative and creative brick buildings of international quality and their architects.
The globally outstanding buildings constructed using clay products are submitted by international architecture critics and architecture journalists. The worldwide research conducted by these “architecture scouts” helps Wienerberger identify brick buildings that leave a lasting impression. Possible applications range from building solutions with classic wall and façade bricks to the creative use of roof tiles and clay pavers. Special attention is paid to how the building blends naturally into the surroundings as well as to the geometry, personality and quality of the building and its lighting conditions.
www.wienerberger.com/brick-award
The Rabbit Hole: Paving brick gives unity from floor to roof
In the category “Single-Family House”, architect Bart Lens impressed the jury with his project in Gaasbeek, Belgium, titled “The Rabbit Hole”, which involved the renovation of a half-collapsed brick farmhouse into a residential area and a veterinary practice. A funnel-shaped annex was built as an intermediate space between the two buildings. The main challenge was how to adapt an old farmhouse to meet today’s residential requirements without destroying its rural character. Bart Lens: “Brick is used here not only as a construction material, but also as a concept reinforcing the existing structure. It is the binding element between the past and the present.” What struck the jury most was the creation of the intermediate space: “It is really inspiring when one stands in the public area looking through this newly created passage where one cannot see what is happening on the other side, so that one has to leave oneself to be led by the light,” says Plamen Bratkov.
International Brick Award
Launched in 2004 the biennial Wienerberger Brick Award recognises innovative and creative brick buildings of international quality and their architects.
The globally outstanding buildings constructed using clay products are submitted by international architecture critics and architecture journalists. The worldwide research conducted by these “architecture scouts” helps Wienerberger identify brick buildings that leave a lasting impression. Possible applications range from building solutions with classic wall and façade bricks to the creative use of roof tiles and clay pavers. Special attention is paid to how the building blends naturally into the surroundings as well as to the geometry, personality and quality of the building and its lighting conditions.
www.wienerberger.com/brick-award
