Brick building with gabled roof and modern glass extension, church spire in background.

A brick building with a gabled roof and a small circular window, adjacent to a modern glass extension. A church with a tall spire is visible in the background, and a brick wall with ivy runs along the foreground.

A modern building with large glass windows and a flat roof, set in a grassy area, with a church spire visible in the background.
A modern extension with large windows and a flat roof is attached to a traditional brick building. A ramp leads to the entrance, surrounded by a garden with large trees.
A modern building with large vertical windows and a sloped walkway surrounded by trees and foliage.
A modern building extension with large glass windows and a flat roof, adjacent to an older brick structure.
A building facade featuring a modern white wall with vertical lines and a brick gable roof above.
A building exterior with arched windows and a modern glass extension.
A symmetrical brick building with a central entrance and multiple windows, featuring a stepped gable roof.
Interior view of an ice cream parlor with a counter displaying cones and cups, surrounded by tiled surfaces and large windows.
Interior view of an ice cream parlor with a modern design, featuring a wooden ceiling with exposed beams, white tiled walls, and a counter with stainless steel surfaces. The space is equipped with coffee machines, cups, and ice cream cones.
Close-up view of a tiled wall with sunlight casting shadows.
Interior view of a hallway with tiled walls and a checkered floor leading to a door. The space is softly lit, and there is a sign on the wall that reads 'Zoete Living'.
A wooden staircase with a curved handrail in an interior space.
A minimalist interior space featuring a white table with two chairs, a wall of cabinets, and a ceiling with exposed beams and track lighting.
Interior view of a tiled room with a white door leading to a hallway, featuring a metal shelving unit with kitchen items and a partially visible appliance.
A construction site featuring a brick building under renovation with scaffolding and a crane. A worker is visible on the site, and a church steeple is seen in the background.
A construction site with a crane lifting materials next to a brick building.
A black and white image of an interior space showing a series of doorways leading into other rooms. The walls are worn and the floor appears unfinished. A plastic chair is placed in the foreground, and some construction materials are visible.
Aerial view of a building plan surrounded by landscaped gardens and pathways.
Architectural elevation drawing of a building with a main rectangular structure and an attached glass-walled extension.
Architectural drawing of a symmetrical building with a central entrance, flanked by two side wings. The building features multiple windows with decorative arches and a small modern extension on the right side.
Architectural floor plan showing the layout of a building with multiple rooms, corridors, and an outdoor pathway.
Architectural section drawing of a building with three floors and a pitched roof, showing interior spaces and structural elements. Trees are faintly visible in the background.

Story

Revitalizing a Historic Rectory into a Civic Hub In the heart of Beverst, a district of Bilzen-Hoeselt, the Pastorij Beverst project by a2o architecten breathes new life into a historic rectory dating back to 1862. The transformation is not merely a preservation effort but a strategic integration of urban vision, landscape, architecture, and interior design. The project respects the building's heritage while embracing its potential for contemporary civic use. The rectory's main volume has been meticulously restored, maintaining its historical integrity. Degraded side wings were reconstructed, echoing the original volumetry and reinstating coherence with marlstone surrounds and iron grilles. The introduction of a semi-public program, including an ice cream parlor operated by Heide Atelier, shifts the rectory's role from a clerical enclave to a civic interface. This space supports individuals with acquired brain injuries and autism, offering a training environment that fosters skill development and social reintegration. A contemporary addition, designed as a light steel structure with a timber roof and glazed façade, serves as the ice cream parlor. This new element, conceived as a modern orangery, contrasts with the masonry mass of the rectory, creating a dialogue between old and new. The garden surrounding the building establishes a gradient between public and private spaces, enhancing the site's role as a social field.

## Design Highlights

Meticulous restoration of the main rectory volume Reconstruction of side wings with historical coherence Introduction of a community-focused ice cream parlor Contemporary orangery-style addition with a steel and timber structure Garden design that mediates between public and private realms

## Key Facts

Key Aspect Detail
Location Bilzen-Hoeselt, Belgium
Completion Year 2026
Architect a2o architecten
Client Stad Bilzen-Hoeselt
Structural Engineer Arcade
General Contractor Bouwbedrijf Louis Reynders
Landscape Design a2o field

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Wall Finish: White tiled walls in the ice cream parlor.
  • Ceiling Finish: Wooden ceiling with exposed beams in the ice cream parlor.

Materials

  • Brick — Used in the construction of the historic rectory and some modern extensions.
  • Glass — Used extensively in the modern extension for large windows and facades.
  • Metal — Used in structural elements and railings.
  • Wood — Used for interior elements like ceilings and staircases.
  • Tile — Used for interior wall finishes and flooring.

Construction / Systems

  • Structural System: Subtile steel structure for the contemporary addition.
  • Facade System: Glazed façade for the modern extension.

Products

  • Interior — Ice Cream Parlor — by Operated by Heide Atelier (Training environment for people with acquired brain injury and autism.)

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: White, Natural Wood, Brick Red
  • Lighting: Soft, natural lighting through large windows.

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