It was a weird little oddly shaped plot nobody wanted. Located in between the ‘ring’ of Leuven and a green park, proved to be the perfect opportunity to build a new office building for DMOA Architects. In response to the ever-changing society, a multifunctional building has been designed that is more than just an office building. KRUUL was born, a place to share an ‘open house’ with a remarkable architecture.
Besides the workspaces, KRUUL also includes a studio and 2 polyvalent event spaces. This creates a pleasant cross-fertilization and provides optimal use of the building. The used materials, the view towards the park and the open plans create a home feeling both for the employees and the visitors.
The sustainability of the building is beyond the flexible program, but also in the application of energy-saving techniques (zero energy building with concrete core activation, geothermal source, heating pump and solar panels) and the use of local materials. The façade consists of rammed concrete and all windows are made of a local chestnut wood. An interactive xylophone is implemented in the façade.
Movement of passers-by is converted into melodies. Art integration in its most innovative way. An energy-efficient, sustainable and multifunctional building, KRUUL is built to last.
Material Used:
1. Facade: rammed concrete homemade (mixture and construction by DMOA)
2. Windows: chestnust
3. Inner walls, floors and ceilings: concrete
4. Floor main room groundfloor: natural terra cotta tiles made by hand
5. Kitchen: spanish claustra bricks, stainless steel counter, portugues tiles
