Workmen’s shed, Machelen

The municipality of Machelen needed new offices and workshops for its municipal services to replace the handful of dilapidated buildings scattered around the area. The site was centred around a compact workmen's shed, creating a circulation loop around it that provides efficient access to both the building and the surrounding fleet of cars. The efficient stacking of work sheds, garages, warehouse, canteen, changing rooms and offices gives rise to a strikingly sculptured space. The structure of the building around the stairwell and lift core comprises a steel skeleton with sandwich wall and roof panels, finished with a special sawtooth-profiled facade plate draped over the volume like a curtain of light. To provide the required second escape route for the upper floors, a large and eye-catching steel spiral staircase was installed next to the building. This also provides direct access to the refectory from outside.