Shopping looking out to a lake. ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter
10/06/2020.
[Ternat] Belgium
metalocus, MARYAN RODRÍGUEZ BUERGO
metalocus, MARYAN RODRÍGUEZ BUERGO
Ark-shelter is a Belgian-based architecture firm, which has been commissioned to design the new showroom for the GAB company. Its architecture is based on the modular concept, so when choosing them, GAB ensured a quick construction.
It is located in the Belgian city of Ternat in the Flemish Bramante province in the Flanders region. The plot where the new showroom is located, next to it is an old and small castle with a garden surrounded by a lake. Consequently, they create a design that connects with the exterior to give a feeling of being outside.
It is located in the Belgian city of Ternat in the Flemish Bramante province in the Flanders region. The plot where the new showroom is located, next to it is an old and small castle with a garden surrounded by a lake. Consequently, they create a design that connects with the exterior to give a feeling of being outside.
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
Ground and first floor plan. ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter
Front view. ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter.
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
ARK – showroom for GAB by Ark-shelter. Photograph by BoysPlayNice
The project and construction process, which Ark-Shelter carried out for this design, was very fast. They created 5 modules that were arranged 2 of them for the first floor and the other 3 for the second floor in the transverse direction, to form spans of 7-8m.
The entire structure of the modules has been prefabricated as well as the structure of the terrace. They were placed with a previous disposition of the foundations. So this modular system provides them with a quick and easy way to work as well as the ability to create as many designs as required.
The entire structure of the modules has been prefabricated as well as the structure of the terrace. They were placed with a previous disposition of the foundations. So this modular system provides them with a quick and easy way to work as well as the ability to create as many designs as required.
Project description by Ark-shelter
The company GAB contacted us because they were in need of a new showroom next to their other showrooms. GAB is the official distributor in Belgium and Luxembourg of Pepe Jeans, Scotch & Soda, Hackett London, Karl Lagerfeld, Façonnable, McGrego and so many more. The need for this showroom was quite urgent so they decided to look for a modular concept which can be made as fast as possible. Brand image was also very important, and they were immediately convinced that our Shelters would perfectly fit with their brands. For the showroom they were in need of a big open bright spaces with a lot of natural incoming light within a two-storey building of 200 sqm.
The location for us was very interesting because on one side we had an old small castle with a beautiful garden surrounded by a lake and in front a parking place. Having this space made us think of the best possible Shelter creation for them. We managed to create a design which connects with the garden and lake, a place where you feel like you are outside.
After some changes and an input from their side they decided to go on with it. The production plans were made in one week and the next day we already started with the skeletons.
We prefabricated 5 custom design units, in only 2 months. Afterwards we transported them to Belgium, a couple days after they arrived in Belgium and they were installed in just a few hours with a crane. The foundations were already prepared beforehand so the installation of the cabins went fluent. The first floor 2 cabins were installed in the early morning hours. The next 3 cabins were placed on the second floor in cross direction, without any external support. Due to the solid skeleton of the units we can make console with an overhang of 2m. We can easily create an open space up to 7-8m. In the late afternoon we installed the terrace that has been prepared in panels and metal prefabricated staircase which came in one piece. With this kind of construction flexibility, we can work fast and this modular system gives us so many options to create great things.
Each brand has its own showroom and we were able to create a covered terrace space within the Shelter construction which is now very useful as a meeting point of all the brands.
This project showed us that anything is possible, and we were more than happy to be part of it.
More information
Architects
Ark-shelter. Martin Mikovčák and Michiel De Backer
Client
GAB
Area
Built-up area.- 154 sqm. Gross floor area.- 227 sqm. Usable floor area.- 195 sqm.
Dates
Project year.- 2018. Completion year.- 2019.
Manufacturers
Roof.- Fatrafol. Boiler.– Ariston. Sanitary.– Geberit. Sink battery.– Teorema Edge. Projection screen.– Electric Master. Glazing.– Saint Gobain. Electrical components.– system Loxone.
Location
Assesteenweg 96, 1740 Ternat, Belgium.
Photography
Martin Mikovčák, Michiel De Backer. Ark-Shelter
Ark-shelter is a Belgian-based architecture firm with the principle of being a studio for developing modular architecture, founded by Martin Mikovčák and Michiel De Backer, five years ago, in 2015.
They started as two architectural students, beginning to think about how people live their lives nowadays. In today’s fast-paced world, we've fallen into a continuous loop of pressures and deadlines that stresses and overwhelms. They’ve found a way to escape from this stressed life and return to the roots. They believe that by incorporating nature back into our lives, people will find the break they need.
That’s how ark-shelter philosophy was born, and they built their first compact cabin. They integrated all the necessary objects we need to survive in the heart of nature, being totally off-grid with solar panels, batteries, and recovery water systems.
Today they are still moving forward as a hybrid of workshop-studio of architects and craftsmen, researching the limits of their cabin-modular building system.
They have been nominated for the Real-estate of the year 2016 awards and have received the Birdhouse startup award and the Big See Architecture Award in 2019.
They started as two architectural students, beginning to think about how people live their lives nowadays. In today’s fast-paced world, we've fallen into a continuous loop of pressures and deadlines that stresses and overwhelms. They’ve found a way to escape from this stressed life and return to the roots. They believe that by incorporating nature back into our lives, people will find the break they need.
That’s how ark-shelter philosophy was born, and they built their first compact cabin. They integrated all the necessary objects we need to survive in the heart of nature, being totally off-grid with solar panels, batteries, and recovery water systems.
Today they are still moving forward as a hybrid of workshop-studio of architects and craftsmen, researching the limits of their cabin-modular building system.
They have been nominated for the Real-estate of the year 2016 awards and have received the Birdhouse startup award and the Big See Architecture Award in 2019.
