The Gielsbos

Between the trees, a care facility for people with disabilities was built here in the 1970s. It has since become very outdated, and therefore Dierendonckblancke architects replaced a large part of the buildings with new houses. These are arranged in groups of five around a small square. While I cycle along the central ring road that connects all the squares, a lot of people wave at me. A group of residents rides by on large tricycles, with caregivers pushing a wheelchair.

With space for 10 people per house, such a cluster forms a small village in itself, with the square being the place for communal activities and meetings between residents, caregivers, and visitors. A structured system of walking paths provides access to the park within the ring road and creates cross-connections between the different living groups. The houses have a distinctive silhouette with sloping roofs and colorful façade materials. Each house thus has a clear identity.

De Standaard