Living around a public heart by the sea
O’Sea Charme
O’Sea Charme creates a new residential environment in Ostend, where architecture and public space are designed as one coherent whole. On the edge of Mariakerke, at the corner of L. van Tyghemlaan and Troonstraat, the project translates the small-scale character of the surrounding neighbourhood into a varied residential ensemble around a new public square. The development comprises 168 residential units, ranging from studios and assisted-living units to one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and single-family homes. Different building volumes bring variety in scale, views and experience, while a height accent on the corner marks the transition to the new urban area.
Facts about the project
- Expertise:
- Architecture
- Immobel
- Client
- Ostend
- Location
- CONIX RDBM Belgium, Sweco
- Partners
- Masterplanning, architecture, structural engineering, building services, acoustics
- Expertise
Photo © CONIX RDBM Belgium
Photo © CONIX RDBM BelgiumA new public heart
The buildings are organised around a central square with a public character. This square forms the heart of the development and brings residents and the neighbourhood together.
The private outdoor spaces of the homes border the square but are separated from it by a green buffer. This creates a gradual transition between public and private space, providing sufficient privacy for residents while also giving the surroundings a lively character.
The architecture and public space were deliberately designed as one coherent whole. The result is not a collection of separate buildings, but a new urban environment with a clear identity.
Built around light and views
The position and height of the buildings have been carefully aligned with the orientation of the site. Taller volumes are located on the northern side, while the buildings on the southern side are lower. This gives both the homes and the surrounding neighbourhood maximum access to sunlight.
The variation in volumes also creates a rich interplay of sightlines and perspectives. By avoiding a closed building block, views open up between the different volumes and the relationship with the surroundings is maintained.
Photo © CONIX RDBM Belgium
Photo © CONIX RDBM BelgiumA varied residential ensemble
The 168 residential units offer different forms of living, from compact studios and assisted-living units to spacious apartments and single-family homes. This mix creates diversity within the development and allows different housing types to coexist.
The fine urban grain of the surrounding neighbourhood forms the starting point. Only at the corner is the scale deliberately increased, with a height accent that marks the entrance to the new urban area.
In this way, O’Sea Charme combines urban density with a human scale and a strong focus on residential quality.
