an inspiring and sustainable residential environment that respects the past
BOTANICA
On the edge of Houthalen‑Helchteren, between the former mining site, the New Administrative Centre (NAC) and the historic mining school TIKB, Botanica weaves contemporary architecture into the distinctive DNA of Limburg’s mining heritage and the surrounding natural landscape.
Facts about the project
- Expertise:
- Architecture
- Botanica
- Client
- Houthalen-Helchteren
- Location
- Studio BNL – M-gineers – AE+Engineering – Houben
- Partners
- architecture
- Expertises
Connection and inclusiviness
Designed as an inclusive and attractive development, Botanica comprises 104 apartments across five buildings, with a wide range of layouts, from dual‑aspect apartments to penthouses with generous terraces. Walkways and shared meeting spaces link the buildings in a practical and visually appealing way, connecting them to the spacious green inner garden and the wider surroundings.
Future-proof living environment
Botanica provides a future‑proof living environment with a strong emphasis on sustainability and comfort. A high sustainability performance (E < 20) is achieved through advanced insulation and energy‑efficient technologies, including heat pumps and solar panels. Smooth mobility is supported by an open car park, bicycle storage and electric charging points, all carefully integrated into the site’s natural slope and opening onto the central garden.
A vibrant landscape in every season
Through the use of materials that reference the region’s industrial past, such as brickwork and timber accents, Botanica’s contemporary architecture blends seamlessly into a ‘heath garden’, inspired by the characteristic landscapes of the nearby Hoge Kempen National Park. Biodiversity is enhanced through the planting of Scots pine, native oak and juniper, while herbaceous vegetation such as heather and purple moor grass creates a distinctive purple glow in autumn, shaping a vibrant landscape that evolves with the seasons.