STW0019 - ZELE - Lines and infill
design: masterplan social housing
client: VMSW
type: urbanism
designteam: act. (Studio Thomas Willemse + Emilie Bechet + Sarah Poot)
landscape and sustainability: Tractebel
timing: competition 2020
The elementary spatial structure of the polder landscape is composed of deep parcels in between ribbon development and streams. The study reflects on the integration of a new social housing neighbourhood within this larger landscape structure at the edge of the town centre of Zele.
New housing types are introduced derived from the traditional row house typology. Compact dwellings are stacked and stretched, to blend within the lines of the landscape. In the depth of the narrow parcels the type repeats itself a second time around shared open spaces and a green central inner area. The new dwellings merge into the existing fabric while fostering a community feeling.