Valérie De Belder
MA work
MA work
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Concept model, Valérie De Belder 2017
Jesmonite, perspex, metal
600 mm x 600 mm | Photographer: Valérie De Belder
comm-UNIT-y
1+1=3
Comm-UNIT-y is a modular housing system for intergenerational living. Situated in a car park in Lewisham, London, the design aims to show that housing doesn’t need to be static and settled. It uses the structure of a vacant car park to build living units for multiple generations, thereby solving three problems at once; housing shortage, an ageing population and vacancy of car parks
How does it work?
The inhabitants create a home by choosing a number of 4x4m modules. Within each module, they select the flooring and the partition walls from a catalogue. This allows them to customize their space. The modules are then slotted in a track system in the car park.
If a family grows, the module configuration can grow as well, simply by adding more modules.
Why is it useful?
The aim of the design is to adapt to the needs of the inhabitants, even if they change throughout their life. It also tries to find a solution for the changes in social and economic structures throughout a life cycle.
In short
Customizable
walls
Cubes of 4x4m
Industrial production
Endless configurations
Slot into the car park
Car park becomes a host for the modular cubes
If families grow, the module configuration can grow as well
Info
Info
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MA Degree
School
School of Architecture
Programme
MA Interior Design, 2017
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Contact
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Valérie was born in Belgium in 1991. As a child, she was already passionate about interior design. As early as at the age of eleven, she took all the measurements of the house and drew a floor plan. It was her first interior design project. Her interest in design and interior has endured.
She loves creating and building items people can use in their every day lives. she loves to research materials, their properties, how they react to particular treatments, how they come together in a single design... A piece of furniture is architecture on a miniature scale and requires the greatest precision, care and attention to detail. This is exactly her cup of tea.
Originality, modularity, eye for detail, precision, honest use of materials and the occasional touch of humour characterize her designs
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Degrees
- BA Interior Design, Thomas More Mechelen, Belgium, 2014
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Experience
- Graphics, Marta Nowicka & Co, London 2016; Furniture drafts person, Bulo, Mechelen 2015; Interior Design, Francq Colors, Antwerp 2012
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Exhibitions
- Clerkenwell Design Week, Kusch+Co, London 2017; Margate Festival, Plinth, Margate 2016; Van Vlinders en Mieren, Design Museum, Ghent 2015; Interieur Kortrijk, Interieur Kortrijk, Kortrijk 2014; Mechelen Meubelen 2.0, Hof Van Busleyden, Mechelen 2014; De Invasie Antwerpen, De Invasie, Antwerp 2013
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Awards
- Third place, Bloomberg competition 2017; Second place, Margate Festival competition 2016; finalist, Van Vlinders en Mieren competition for Bulo and Fritz Hansen 2014
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Publications
- An Bogaerts, Allemaal Brutaal, De Standaard Magazine, 2016