HOUSE OF NATURE

"House of Nature", an innovative Landscape Architecture project designed as a gateway into the National Park Bosland in Lommel, Belgium. This unique project tells the story of exceptional natural wonders to be discovered in the National park such as the unique dune habitats, the most important land dunes in all of Flanders. This architectural Landmark flows into the landscape and forms a symbiosis with its surroundings and the environment.

The Landmark "House of Nature" was commissioned by the City council of Lommel, one of the councils making up the National park Bosland. There was previously no clear entry point into the National park from Lommel, the council wanted an imposing gateway that could be seen from afar and would form a sustainable Landmark.



The main goal was to create a single point of entry into the National park Bosland, a gateway which could be used as a focal meeting place to bring visitors together from where they could enter the National park in a safe environment.



This project took 2.5 years from the moment it was commissioned to realisation. Many contractors and subcontractors played a role in bringing this project to life. The biggest challenge was to build it on site while working free from the elements. To resolve this, a scaffolding company was hired to construct an enormous tent construction around the outside of the artwork.



It is made of a complex structure of Corten steel supported by 12 large iron pillars from the inside. The outer shell is also Corten steel, a very sustainable and earthy coloured material built to withstand the test of time. Thousands of welding points, each meticulously made by hand can be seen covering the shell, a testament to the hours of work necessary to complete this Artwork. "House of Nature" is 50m long, 7.5m high.