01/04/2026
NIDO LAKEN - construction phase
A warm, thoughtfully designed housing project by vzw NIDO, focused on social and affordable co-housing for young adults with disabilities. It strikes a careful balance: residents live independently in adapted studios while being part of a shared home with guidance and collective facilities. Autonomy and connectedness go hand in hand.
The project is housed in a stately townhouse near the Church of Our Lady of Laeken, formerly owned by the church council. Its distinctive volume is organized around a central staircase hall that connects all floors and provides direct access to the garden. This hall divides the building into two parts, each with two enfilade rooms—a layout well suited for reinterpretation.
Within this structure, six spacious assisted-living studios are created, including four duplex units with private bathrooms, kitchens, and views of the surroundings. On the ground floor, a generous shared space connected to the garden forms the heart of communal life.
A key intervention is the replacement of the existing extension. The deep annex is replaced by a slimmer, more transparent addition. This opens up the rear façade and restores the connection between the central hall and the garden, allowing light, views, and transparency to flow freely.
The townhouse’s original high-ceilinged spaces regain their full quality, filled once again with light and life. The entire building also undergoes a thorough energy-efficient renovation, ensuring a warm and sustainable home for its residents.
i.c.w. Nele Stragier Architecte
deckers
