Studio Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects has designed an extraordinary building for concrete construction manufacturer Enjoy Concrete.
Working with concrete is a passion, a culture and an art
Enjoy Concrete produces and installs concrete elements in the city of Veurne, Belgium. "Concrete is smooth, clean and powerful. Its grey tone allows it to be combined with materials such as wood, steel and glass. Working with concrete is a passion, a culture and an art," the Enjoy Concrete team writes on their website.
Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects were tasked with combining production facilities and offices while incorporating the company's own product into the design. The designers had to satisfy both technical requirements and give the building a clear identity — a striking appearance in harmony with its natural surroundings.
The Enjoy Concrete headquarters is one large concrete block. The building's façade is composed of panels measuring 6 by 3 metres, with concrete sections alternating with windows of the same proportions. The front of the building houses the offices, while the remainder is given over to the production hall and warehouse.
A meeting room in the upper right corner gives the structure its defining feature. It too follows the 6-by-3-metre proportion and projects 12.5 metres beyond the face of the building. The structure looks precarious, but it is not: a lightweight steel framework anchored within the concrete staircase provides the necessary counterbalance. In the evenings the room is transformed by a vivid red light that illuminates the large windows on the south-western side, creating a striking contrast against the night sky.
The building's façade features an image of the trees along the Damme Canal — located in the north of the Belgian province of West Flanders — rendered using graphic concrete technology. The digital image is broken down into large dots, so the overall pattern is only legible from a distance. The building engages interestingly with its surroundings through its wide windows, which mirror the nature on the opposite side of the street.
The Enjoy Concrete headquarters reflects the company's capabilities and philosophy. The floating conference room catches the eye of passing drivers, offering a counterpoint to familiar architectural forms. The image of the trees unites the mass of concrete with the natural surroundings and satisfies the project's aesthetic ambitions.
If you enjoy the combination of concrete and natural elements in architecture, be sure to explore our selection of brutalist interiors.
