OFFICE 349

The atelier for the Belgian artist Rinus Van de Velde is located in a flood-prone area on the southern outskirts of Leuven. In response, the lower facade of this simple concrete box is pierced with round perforations to allow controlled flooding of a crawl space beneath the raised ground floor. Hanging from the longer edges of the flat roof are two aluminium canopies – one fixed and one adjustable – which provide a sense of privacy and covered outdoor space. The atelier has two levels. The lower one serves as a working space: at the artist’s request, it is a dark room with only one opening and a small storage space. The interior is covered in wood panelling with visible joints, which help to arrange the artworks. Upstairs is the living area with sleeping quarters, bathroom and a kitchen. The upper floor has two more identical openings with sliding glass panels that admit plenty of natural light. Both levels can be accessed independently via retractable outdoor aluminium stairs. Akin to drawbridges, they stand in stark contrast to the immobile character of the monolithic concrete volume, making it appear as a fortress and a creative refuge from the world.