LUCA II: brick architecture combining unity and diversity

The Luchtbal district of Antwerp recently gained a special construction project. LUCA II accommodates 118 social rental housing apartments spread over eight homogeneous blocks. The most distinctive feature: the brickwork with its repetitive pattern, boldly articulating the façades. The design was produced by B-architecten in collaboration with the Slovenian bureau Bevk Perovic Arhitekti.

Design reflects context
The environs of the Luchtbal district in Antwerp is characterised by its enormous diversity. The open urban plan dates back to the modernist past and incorporates both typical garden suburbs and classic closed housing blocks. Even more variation is added to the image by the presence of large industrial buildings on the opposite side of Noorderlaan. All these aspects have been incorporated in the design of LUCA II which fits in perfectly with its context. The construction project consists of single blocked volumes, designed in accordance with the principles of a garden suburb. In addition, each individual building is a subtle nod to its immediate surroundings. The volumetry of the whole project was conceived as a composition with one long six-storey volume on Noorderlaan and with several smaller volumes ranging from four to six floors along Canadalaan and Manchesterlaan. In this way, the urban design concept carefully brings together the different worlds of the Luchtbal district.

Brick grid structure
LUCA II is fully committed to social housing. Sustainability, cost efficiency and low maintenance were high on the agenda from the start. The choice of brick as the facing material fits in perfectly with that narrative. Yet it is primarily the special way in which the brickwork has been laid that is going to attract the most attention. All the buildings have been finished using sEptEm 8025, a brown ecological moulded brick which was applied in two formats in order to give the façades extra texture. Recessed brickwork alternates with protruding headers, creating a sort of grid structure that creates a particular articulation. The single massive blocks suddenly acquire more rhythm and dynamism while at the same time, the brick grid structure allows for flexibility and diversity in terms of the plans and interiors. The long six-storey block on Noorderlaan forms a buffer that shields the courtyard, for example. Then on the other sides of the block, a more open development with smaller four-storey volumes has been opted for. To guarantee more privacy, both the ground floor and the courtyard were raised 55 cm above ground level.

Heterogeneous appeal
The fact that diversity is the codeword comes to light in another way too. LUCA II encompasses a range of housing typologies that should appeal to a very heterogeneous range of potential residents. For instance, there are terrace houses with private gardens, through apartments with or without gardens, triple-façade apartments and smaller apartments on higher levels with spectacular views over Antwerp. Many of these are available with different numbers of bedrooms. Small and large families, couples, singles, the elderly and people with restricted mobility: all of these are eligible for a home.

Energy
The application for the urban planning permit dates back to 2015 when the standards for E- and K-levels were still slightly higher than today. Nevertheless, the standard is easily met here. The E-level of the apartments varies between E52 and E59 and the K-level between K29 and K34. In addition, renewable energy is generated by means of communal solar collectors connected to the central boiler room. Heating is provided by low-temperature radiators. In order to reduce the investment and maintenance costs without being penalised in terms of the E-level, the architects opted for a centralised heating system in the form of an optimally condensing gas boiler. This is used for both sanitary hot water and space heating. In addition, consumption is centrally monitored based on a building management system in all the housing complexes.