Sart Saint-Nicolas, Residential complex in Marcinelle, Belgium
Sart Saint-Nicolas is a residential settlement in Marcinelle comprising 14 ground-level houses organized around a central plaza. The entire development spans about 2 hectares of land situated between a slag heap and a recreational area.
Architect Paul Petit designed and constructed this residential settlement in 1975 using prefabricated components assembled on-site through bolting techniques. The prefabrication method enabled a cost-effective and rapid execution of the project.
The neighborhood developed through a participatory building project where future residents actively helped construct their own homes. This shared creation experience shaped the social connections between neighbors from the very start.
The area is designed for pedestrian movement with wide pathways between houses and a spacious central plaza for gathering. The flat terrain makes it easy to navigate and accessible for people with mobility challenges.
The facades use weathering steel that develops a characteristic rust surface over time, while lower sections are covered with fiber cement panels. This material combination gives the settlement a distinctive architectural look that evolves with age.
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