Community Centre Zandloper

Community Centre De Zandloper in Wemmel is reorganised from within. The intervention brings together the entrance, reception and adjoining offices, while transforming an existing covered outdoor space into an internal entrance lobby. All while remaining within the footprint of the existing building.

The design starts from a simple ambition: to make entering and wayfinding more intuitive, inclusive and comfortable. Rather than adding new architecture, the project works with what is already there. Existing lightweight partitions are removed and the concrete structure of the floor above is exposed, giving the renewed entrance its spatial character.

The entrance sequence begins on the Kaasmarkt square, where tactile guidance leads visitors towards the building. The former octagonal covered space, previously defined by two equivalent doors leading to different parts of the centre, becomes a clear first point of arrival. Transparent automatic sliding doors maintain visual openness towards the street and courtyard while turning this space into a sheltered internal lobby.

Beyond it, the reception desk sits directly on the main line of approach. A central seating area organises circulation towards the community centre’s principal functions. Lighting acts as an additional visual guide, while a new curved wall naturally directs visitors towards the cafe. Information is concentrated at specific points through a linoleum noticeboard and digital screens, keeping communication visible without allowing it to dominate the space.

The reception forms the hinge between public and staff areas. Its central position provides staff with broad visual oversight of the entrance, reception area, circulation route and courtyard. Writing surfaces at two heights make the desk accessible to different users.

A sliding partition allows the reception to operate as part of either the public area or the offices and, when required, to be acoustically and visually separated from the entrance space. This simple intervention gives the plan greater flexibility without compromising its legibility.

The office, storage and reception functions are grouped along the north-east side. High windows provide indirect daylight while limiting the risk of summer overheating. New insulated lightweight partitions and suspended ceilings improve both acoustic and thermal comfort.

By stripping back previous additions, the existing concrete structure becomes visible again. New elements are deliberately legible within this robust framework, allowing the intervention to remain clear and adaptable over time.

The new lobby strengthens the relationship between the Kaasmarkt and the internal courtyard. Transparent enclosures preserve views through the entrance and minimise the visual impact of the intervention from outside.

The former covered exterior space is therefore not simply enclosed, but redefined as an intermediate room: a recognisable threshold that connects public space, community centre and courtyard.