Fashioning the Belgian lingerie headquarters – Van de Velde Schellebelle

This project was the transformation of the existing industrial site at Schellebelle into the headquarter and home base for the Design and Development department of the international, publicly traded company Van de Velde.

The challenge was how to translate this structural corporate reorganization into an infrastructural and spatial transformation of the existing site and its buildings.

From the building physics and spatial analysis concept schemes were developed that translated the program of requirements. In this scheme we introduced the concept of a new atrium and interior garden as the heart of the site. The atrium functions as a circulation area and meeting place, but can also be transformed into a reception area or catwalk for presentations of the latest collection.
The elevated atrium roof allows natural light to spill down below. On the garden side, the atrium opens up through a fully glazed facade, with columns in a light-coloured wood finish.
A  new spacious entrance hall, opening up to the new atrium,  gives the site an inviting and open character.

Around the new atrium and the access area, the existing buildings were maintained. The existing skylights have been renewed and new tiles have been added. The non-structural layout of the existing volumes has been removed to accommodate a new and creative working environment.
The office environment has been designed as an open-plan office, including meeting rooms and quiet workplaces.

The new landscaping creates a natural environment and at the same time contributes to a better quality of the working environment.
Durable and timeless materials have been chosen, with a contemporary appearance and in harmony with the existing buildings.

eld was assigned as architect, structural engineer and MEP engineer for this project.