Brick building with gabled roof and modern glass extension, church spire in background.

A brick building with a gabled roof and a small circular window, adjacent to a modern glass extension. A church with a tall spire is visible in the background, and a brick wall with ivy runs along the foreground.

Modern building with glass windows and flat roof in a grassy area, church spire in background.
Modern extension with large windows attached to a traditional brick building, featuring a ramp and garden with trees.
Modern building with vertical windows and a sloped walkway, surrounded by trees.
Modern glass extension next to an older brick building.
Modern white facade with vertical lines and a brick gable roof.
Exterior view of a building with arched windows and a glass extension.
Symmetrical brick building with central entrance and stepped gable roof.
Ice cream parlor interior with counter, cones, cups, tiled surfaces, and large windows.
Modern ice cream parlor interior with wooden ceiling, white tiled walls, and stainless steel counter.
Close-up view of a tiled wall with sunlight casting shadows.
Interior hallway with tiled walls, checkered floor, and a door at the end. A sign reads 'Zoete Living'.
Wooden staircase with curved handrail in an interior setting.
Interior view of a minimalist room with a white table, chairs, and a wall of cabinets.
Interior of a tiled room with a white door, metal shelving with kitchen items, and a hallway visible through the door.
Construction site with a brick building under renovation, scaffolding, a crane, a worker, and a church steeple in the background.
Construction site with crane lifting materials beside a brick building.
Interior view of a series of doorways in a worn and unfinished room with a plastic chair and construction materials.
Aerial view of a building plan with surrounding landscaped gardens and pathways.
Elevation drawing of a building with a main structure and a glass-walled extension.
Architectural drawing of a symmetrical building with central entrance and side wings.
Floor plan of a building with various rooms and an outdoor pathway.
Section drawing of a three-story building with a pitched roof, displaying interior spaces and structural details, with trees in the background.

Story

Revitalizing a Historic Rectory into a Civic Hub In the heart of Beverst, a district of Bilzen-Hoeselt, the Pastorij Beverst project by a2o architecten breathes new life into a historic rectory dating back to 1862. The transformation is not merely a preservation effort but a strategic integration of urban vision, landscape, architecture, and interior design. The project respects the building's heritage while embracing its potential for contemporary civic use. The rectory's main volume has been meticulously restored, maintaining its historical integrity. Degraded side wings were reconstructed, echoing the original volumetry and reinstating coherence with marlstone surrounds and iron grilles. The introduction of a semi-public program, including an ice cream parlor operated by Heide Atelier, shifts the rectory's role from a clerical enclave to a civic interface. This space supports individuals with acquired brain injuries and autism, offering a training environment that fosters skill development and social reintegration. A contemporary addition, designed as a light steel structure with a timber roof and glazed façade, serves as the ice cream parlor. This new element, conceived as a modern orangery, contrasts with the masonry mass of the rectory, creating a dialogue between old and new. The garden surrounding the building establishes a gradient between public and private spaces, enhancing the site's role as a social field.

Design Highlights

Meticulous restoration of the main rectory volume Reconstruction of side wings with historical coherence Introduction of a community-focused ice cream parlor Contemporary orangery-style addition with a steel and timber structure Garden design that mediates between public and private realms

Key Facts

Key Aspect Detail
Location Bilzen-Hoeselt, Belgium
Completion Year 2026
Architect a2o architecten
Client Stad Bilzen-Hoeselt
Structural Engineer Arcade
General Contractor Bouwbedrijf Louis Reynders
Landscape Design a2o field

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Wall Finish: White tiled walls in the ice cream parlor.
  • Ceiling Finish: Wooden ceiling with exposed beams in the ice cream parlor.

Materials

  • Brick — Used in the construction of the historic rectory and some modern extensions.
  • Glass — Used extensively in the modern extension for large windows and facades.
  • Metal — Used in structural elements and railings.
  • Wood — Used for interior elements like ceilings and staircases.
  • Tile — Used for interior wall finishes and flooring.

Construction / Systems

  • Structural System: Subtile steel structure for the contemporary addition.
  • Facade System: Glazed façade for the modern extension.

Products

  • Interior — Ice Cream Parlor — by Operated by Heide Atelier (Training environment for people with acquired brain injury and autism.)

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: White, Natural Wood, Brick Red
  • Lighting: Soft, natural lighting through large windows.

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