Construction of student accommodation at Redemptorist monastery in Ghent
The monastery of the Redemptorist order (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer) had become too big for the five remaining priests, so a solution was sought for redeveloping the 2.8‑hectare site.
In 2015, work started on a multifunctional infill project for housing, short-term accommodation and religious use. The short-term accommodation involved constructing a complex of 540 student rooms. This consists of a concrete supporting structure, with an insulation envelope comprising 7,500 m² of timber-frame façade elements installed around it.
The design of the timber-frame façade elements took account of the specific fire legislation concerning façade elements and vapour transmission. The timber-frame components were inserted under the terraces using an overhead crane pallet fork with counterweight. The end finish is a mix of decorative plaster and timber façade cladding.
