Tervuren (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Architect Willy Van Der Meeren’s vacant ECSC house in Tervuren, needing full restoration, gets €75,000 from Minister Ben Wets; owner Francis Carpentier funds 60% to preserve post-WWII heritage.
As VRT News reported, architect house’s Willy Van Der Merteb in Tervuren, Belgium gets renovation after years of vacancy. The house, currently owned by a private individual, has been empty for several years and now needs a lot of work. Because it’s been empty for so long, it has fallen into disrepair. Officials mentioned that a complete restoration is needed to keep the house strong and to protect its historical value.
Minister Ben Wets from the N-VA party has decided to invest 75,000 euros to pay for the restoration work. This money will be used to fix both the outside and inside of the house. He mentioned that the goal is to make sure the house not only looks good but also works well. The work will focus on repairing any damage, restoring the original architectural details, and updating the interior to a standard that matches its historical importance.
“The architects Van Der Meeren and Palm went to great lengths to build prefabricated with as few resources as possible,” says owner Francis Carpenter. “That way they were able to limit the cost price, the material footprint and the energy consumption of a family home.”
How will Tervuren’s Van Der Meeren ECSC house be restored for the future?
The government’s money is only part of what’s needed. The private owner will pay for 60% of the total restoration. This is a partnership between public and private funds. They both want to save the house for the future. Together, they will fix both the outside and inside.
After World War II, Europe needed more houses, and people wanted modern homes. Belgian architect Willy Van Der Meeren was asked to design a housing area called Vierwindenbinnenhof in Tervuren. He had to build affordable and quick houses.
Van Der Meeren and Leon Palm created the ‘ECSC house’ for the European Coal and Steel Community. These houses were designed to be standard and efficient, keeping costs low while still being modern and comfortable. 8 Many of these ECSC homes are still in the Vierwindenbinnenhof district.
“After 70 years, the house is still so up-to-date that nothing extra needs to be added.”
Francis Carpentier, owner of the architect’s house
One of the 8 houses in the area was designed by Van Der Meeren for himself. His home showed off his new ideas. Officials mentioned that a key feature was a central stove that heated the main rooms. Extra heat was sent to the upper floors, keeping the whole house warm without wasting energy.
Sarhan Basem is Brussels Morning's Senior Correspondent to the European Parliament. With a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, Sarhan brings a unique blend of linguistic finesse and analytical prowess to his reporting. Specializing in foreign affairs, human rights, civil liberties, and security issues, he delves deep into the intricacies of global politics to provide insightful commentary and in-depth coverage. Beyond the world of journalism, Sarhan is an avid traveler, exploring new cultures and cuisines, and enjoys unwinding with a good book or indulging in outdoor adventures whenever possible.
