Govaert & Vanhoutte architects

The new headquarters for ROB (Louage & Wisselinck) combines office space, a showroom with bar, and a production hall.

The main building is approached along a waterbasin, followed by an easy slope leading visitors towards the entrance under the cantilever. The reception area is the crossroads between the offices and commercial spaces. Beyond and above are the offices and meeting rooms, while an internal slope descends along an inner patio towards the showroom. Beyond the showroom is the production hall

The building is levitated slightly above the ground. A long concrete north facade closes off the building from the surrounding industry and opens it up towards the farmlands in the south.

The design has an industrial approach, combining concrete for walls and floors, glass for facades and internal divisions, metal plating for facades an ceilings, and stretched aluminium for sunshades. These materials are contrasted by the bestoke oak furniture inside and the trees on the terrain. All materials also produce a gloss, reflecting the building as well as the colors of sky and surroundings.