DESIGN STUDIO ADAPTIVE REUSE TIMMERMANS- OPSOMERHUIS
Artists-in-residence project
Introduction:
The present assignment was carried out for the Adaptive Reuse Studio of the Interior
Architecture course. The research was developed based on the city of Liers History,
demography and geographic history, but has the main focus on two buildings located in Lier’s territory, Hof of Geertuyen.
The present assignment was carried out for the Adaptive Reuse Studio of the Interior
Architecture course. The research was developed based on the city of Liers History,
demography and geographic history, but has the main focus on two buildings located in Lier’s territory, Hof of Geertuyen.
The town of Lier is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. It is composed of the city of Lier itself and the village of Koningshooikt. It is located at the confluence of the Big Nete and the Little Nete. As Felix Timmermans puts it, "where the three winding Nethen tie asilver knot".
Thanks to its amenities, infrastructure and natural areas, Lier has the potential to become the perfect residential community at the heart of a regional structure of green spaces and water, it has a unique position linking the urban area of greater Antwerp with the open countryside of the Kempen region.
The historical city on the Nete offers some for everyone: culture and Unesco world heritage, hiking and biking routes, good food and many stores.
Thanks to its amenities, infrastructure and natural areas, Lier has the potential to become the perfect residential community at the heart of a regional structure of green spaces and water, it has a unique position linking the urban area of greater Antwerp with the open countryside of the Kempen region.
The historical city on the Nete offers some for everyone: culture and Unesco world heritage, hiking and biking routes, good food and many stores.
History of Hof of Geertruyen:
Built in the 17th century, the country House De Groote Hofstadt on the Netelaan, annex city park, was purchased by the city of Lier in 1917. The construction had its name changed to Hof van Geertruyden, which refers to the owners of the second half of the 19th century. After the purchase, the location's gardens became a public park while the buildings were gradually being occupied by different school establishments in the course of the 20th century, this was considered the predecessor of the Royal Athenaeum.
Built in the 17th century, the country House De Groote Hofstadt on the Netelaan, annex city park, was purchased by the city of Lier in 1917. The construction had its name changed to Hof van Geertruyden, which refers to the owners of the second half of the 19th century. After the purchase, the location's gardens became a public park while the buildings were gradually being occupied by different school establishments in the course of the 20th century, this was considered the predecessor of the Royal Athenaeum.
In 1968 the building was furnished as a Timmermans-Opsomerhuis, and became a museum that became home to the most important Lier cultural figures. The two central artists are Felix Timmermans and Isidore Opsomer. While the Hof van Geertruyden museum was becoming more popular, the Museum in Floran Van Cauwenberghstraat was restored and given a new scenography. This event caused the
program of the Timmermans-Opsomerhuis to lose its value. Over the past decade, social services and organizations such as Ligo (provides Basic Education Centers) will be given a place to accommodate classrooms, mainly used by adult education.
program of the Timmermans-Opsomerhuis to lose its value. Over the past decade, social services and organizations such as Ligo (provides Basic Education Centers) will be given a place to accommodate classrooms, mainly used by adult education.
Concept:
Isidoor Opsomer mostly painted nature, especially in Lier, so it must have been very special for him. Also his good friend Felix Timmermans, a writer, wrote a lot about his adoration of nature. Since the building is dedicated to them we also wanted to dedicate this project to these important figures from Lier.
Isidoor Opsomer mostly painted nature, especially in Lier, so it must have been very special for him. Also his good friend Felix Timmermans, a writer, wrote a lot about his adoration of nature. Since the building is dedicated to them we also wanted to dedicate this project to these important figures from Lier.
So we took inspiration from their paintings and books and made nature an important part of our concept.
The site:
