Case Study
Clean lines and sustainable materials for Chapon Fin facades
WAB Architecten
Location
Knokke (Belgium)
Partners
Batsleer, Leonardofix, Tom Mauws, Agence Pallen
Color
Zenith
Thickness
4 mm
End date
2023
Text
Philip Declercq, Dimension Magazine
Architecture/Design
WAB Architecten
Material
Dekton
Aplication
Ventilated facade
Quantity
1,200 m2
Photography
Pilar Shoots
The exterior of the Chapon Fin apartment building, located on the corner of Kustlaan and Diksmuidestraat in Knokke Het Zoute, has been completely renovated. The building owner and WAB Architects opted for a non-destructive approach and used 4mm Dekton cladding from Cosentino for the building's facade. The Dekton Zenith finish contrasts nicely with the building's black base.
The Chapon Fin apartment building in Knokke has around 85 apartments, with one or two additional floors on the corner and a Delhaize store on the ground floor. Over the years, various renovation works have been carried out on the roofs, heating, lighting, entrance halls, etc.
"The typical 1980s building with its yellow-brown hand-formed bricks and Silex tiles on the balconies had many building physics problems: concrete rot, crumbling masonry, water infiltration, cold bridges... A renovation of the entire exterior - facades, terraces, parapets, flat roofs, etc. - was necessary," said Bernard Van Hoorebeke, CEO of Immo Pallen BV from Knokke-Heist, which coordinated the work in close collaboration with the VME Chapon Fin and main contractor Batsleer.
"Renewing the window frames was not part of the renovation assignment because it belongs to the private part." However, all windows and window frames had to be preserved, as well as the black color of the frames, according to urban planning regulations.
Non-destructive approach
Immo Pallen BV acted as the building owner together with the VME. WAB (Wylein Architectenbureau) Architects from Bruges were chosen from three possible design firms. Tom Wylein, a director and architect, is currently the third generation in charge. Birgitte Cools has been a co-director and shareholder since 2020. WAB Architects opted for a non-destructive approach: "We did not know the building's construction history. From our perspective, we analyzed the building and its building physics problems. In terms of layout and structure, this building had a well-maintained, still contemporary architecture," said Tom Wylein.
"The building could be given a contemporary look in a non-destructive way. Therefore, we opted for a gentle cleaning of the facade and a facelift using sustainable materials and techniques. The VME was closely involved in the choice of materials. In consultation with the building owner, we opted to paint the base of the building - the ground floor, fully occupied by a Delhaize store - entirely black."
Generating contrast
The facades were additionally insulated with 8 cm thick rock wool (there was still 5 cm insulation in the cavity walls). The vast majority of the facade surfaces - from the first floor - were covered with Dekton from Cosentino. The building owner and architects chose Dekton panels in a milky white Zenith finish to generate a nice contrast with the black base.
Dekton is made from stone and minerals that are sintered at 1200°C, resulting in a non-porous, hard, scratch-resistant, and very closed surface. Rainwater and dirt wash off the facades. WAB Architects had already had a good experience with Dekton in a previous renovation project on the coast.
The Dekton panels, custom-made in the Cosentino factory in Spain, were delivered directly to the site and anchored by the installation company Tom Mauws from Roeselare. To avoid a monotonous facade, WAB Architects developed some architectural accents. Three vertical facade strips, covered with Linarte profiles from Renson and equipped with integrated LED lighting, were strategically positioned over the entire facade width.
'Buildwise tested'
Cosentino holds a special place in the natural stone sector. "Our focus is not only on facade materials but also on materials for floors, bathrooms, kitchens... We engage in direct dialogue with every stakeholder in a project - VME, architects, contractors, installers...," said Stephanie Bevernagie from Cosentino. "In high-rise projects, different Dekton plate thicknesses can be used. Originally, 8mm thick plates were mainly glued, and 12mm thick plates were mechanically fastened. 4mm thick Dekton plates were initially mainly used to cover cabinets, doors, and interiors. In our country, Flanders is a pioneer in cladding facades with Dekton."
At Cosentino's request, Buildwise carried out tests in extreme conditions on the 4mm Dekton plates. "In the high wind forces that can occur on our coast, these plates are not inferior to those of 8mm. Depending on the design and plate modulation, it is important to determine the correct plate thickness and type of support structure. Sometimes it is advisable to work with a thinner Dekton plate and a heavier support structure - as is the case here - or vice versa. In addition to the height of the building (i.e., wind load), habits and the logistical equipment available to the installer also play a significant role," says Stephanie Bevernagie.
Concept of indoor terraces reinforced
For the indoor terraces, it was decided to cover the existing Silex tiles with Dekton panels from Cosentino. This allowed the terraces and facade cladding to fit together nicely and reinforced the concept of indoor terraces. "Our choice of wooden support structures was primarily motivated by the possibility of thermal insulation. The impact of wind, salt, sun, and sand on the facades of a building by the sea cannot be overstated," said Wylein.
"There were problems with water infiltration around the parapets. The fumé glass and aluminum profiles were replaced entirely by full glass, placed on the outside of the parapet and thus integrated into the Dekton facade cladding. This reduces the chance of water infiltration and provides a greater sense of space on the terraces."