梅肯是西佛兰德斯的一个小村庄，有2300名居民。在第一次世界大战中被完全摧毁后，它在20世纪20年代以典型的当地建筑风格进行了重建，是战后重建建筑的一个典型例子。该村位于两条主干道的T形交叉口处。委托给Rapp+Rapp的项目包括两部分：重新设计村内主要街道的公共空间和建造一个新的社区中心。

Merkem is a small village in West Flanders, counting 2,300 inhabitants. After having been completely destroyed in the First World War it was reconstructed in the 1920s in a typical local building style, being a characteristic example of post-war reconstruction architecture. The village is situated along two main roads joining in a T-junction. The commission granted to Rapp+Rapp consisted of two parts: the redesign of public space along the main streets in the village and the construction of a new community centre.

公共空间的重新设计包括三个广场，一个位于T型路口，另外两个位于主要街道的任何一条。遵循村庄的清醒特征，公共空间的重新设计简单但质量高，突出了公共空间的适度设计。社区中心位于Stationsplein，是一个面积为150 x 40米的广场，两边是两层的砖砌建筑，有山坡屋顶。主入口是一个小广场，后面是一个停车区。该建筑在视觉上被一个单层的连续柱廊所界定，它与周围房屋的节奏相连接，并包围着主厅。

The redesign of the public space included three squares, one on the T-junction and the other two located on either of the main streets. Following the sober character of the village, the redesign of the public space is simple but of high quality, accentuating the modest design of the public space. The community centre is located on the Stationsplein, a square measuring 150 x 40 metres flanked by two-story brick buildings with gable roofs. The main entrance addresses a small plaza, at the backside there is a parking area. The building is visually defined by a single-story continuous colonnade, which joins the rhythm of the surrounding houses and encloses the main hall.

Merkem社区中心是一个开放的平台，可以开展广泛的活动。双层高的主厅高于建筑的其他部分，并配备了木制的高级玻璃窗。在白天，这确保了光线、透明度和开放性。到了晚上，这个玻璃体量就成了村庄的灯塔。入口大厅的两边是服务和技术单元，直接通向主厅。与大厅一致的是一个内向的庭院，它与广场封闭。与主厅的开放性相比，它形成了一个和平和安静的绿洲。在庭院的另一侧，与主厅面对面的是一个会议室，可以独立于建筑的其他部分使用。

The Merkem community centre is an open platform for a wide range of activities. The double-hight main hall rises above the rest of the building and is equipped with timber high-level glazing. During daytime this ensures light, transparency and openness. At night the arising glass volume acts as a lantern for the Village. The entrance hall, flanked by service and technical units, leads directly into the main hall. In line with the hall lies an introverted courtyard, which is closed to the square. In contrast to the openness of the main hall, it forms an oasis of peace and silence. On the opposite side of the court, face to face with the main hall, there is a conference room that can be used independently from the rest of the building.

建筑的外墙主要由预制混凝土和未经处理的木材组成。混凝土含有浅色的骨料，有助于提高拱廊的精致质量。未经处理的木材为建筑提供了一种温暖和自然的魅力。建筑的外观延续到了内部。地板和院子里的砾石也是浅色的。建筑的内部框架是由现浇混凝土建造的，与预制混凝土柱密切相关。柱廊、透明的主厅和封闭的庭院的空间序列为社区中心提供了一种轻盈和开放的感觉，很容易融入村子中心。

The facades of the building mainly consist of prefabricated concrete and untreated timber. The concrete contains a light-coloured aggregate that contributes to the refined quality of the arcade. The untreated timber provides a warm and natural charisma to the building. The exterior of the building continues in the interior. The floor as well as the gravel in the courtyard is light coloured too. The building’s inner frame is constructed of in-situ concrete, closely matching the prefabricated concrete columns. The spatial sequence of colonnade, transparent main hall and closed courtyard provides the community centre with a lightness and openness that easily fits into the village centre.

Architects: Rapp+Rapp
Area : 550 m²
Year : 2012
Photographs :Kim Zwarts
Manufacturers : Decomo, Schrijnwerkerij Borra
Lead Architect : Christian Rapp
Project Management : WVI projectregie
Structural Engineer : Studiebureau Snoeck & Partners
Interior Architects : Rapp+Rapp
Responsible Partner : Harrie van der Meijs
Project Team : Wouter Hilhorst, Anne Gramatzki
Client : Gemeentebestuur Houthulst
General Contractor : Furnibo
Mep & Hvac Consultants : Studiebureau Snoeck & Partners
Management : Rapp+Rapp
City : Houthulst
Country : Belgium