studio Vens Vanbelle, the colourful office project, developed for coaching experts Heydays, was designed to ‘stand out from the crowd’, following the dynamic company’s motto.
Part of a busy road overlooking the local river, the Leie, the plot featured an existing building, which the architects reimagined creatively as an abstract, boxy volume clad in a black and white checkered pattern. More akin to a piece ofor graphic art than a conventional workspace, the building is eye-catching and fun, conveying its residents’ ethos. ‘The new building volume also forms a buffer between the busy street side and the nature at the rear,’ the architects explain. .
From there, meeting rooms, desk space, communal areas, and individual consultation rooms for client coaching sessions unfold, both on this floor and a further two levels above. A calming,white staircase connects all floors. The interior feels warm and homely throughout, with vibrant hues balanced by subtler tones, natural materials and soft furnishings to create a welcoming space.
‘For many people, a workplace is a place where they spend more time than they do in their own home, so the pleasant and homely character is extremely important,’ conclude the design team. This new colourful office achieves this sense of warmth with aplomb, while at the same time creating a striking landmark for the city. §