Woodland - Durbuy
Nestled in the beautiful Walloon Ardennes, close to the town of Durbuy, lies a hillside designated for 204 homes. More than 20 hectares of landscape containing a ‘forest in the making’ – a self-created forest now about 10 years old – is in danger of disappearing here. DELVA has taken on the task of radically reversing this process.
It is inherent in our agency’s DNA to meet this challenge by building on the existing and harnessing the potential of the current forest, with the aim of developing a stable and diverse ecosystem. By creating the right conditions, this current forest has enormous potential to move from a phase of aggradation to a biostatic phase.
A residential development as a catalyst for nature development – that’s what the project in Durbuy stands for.
In order to further develop the landscape, it is necessary to break the current phase of aggradation in which the nascent forest is located. The first step for this is to carry out a thinning. During this thinning, we look for the future trees, after which only competitors will be felled. The hillside will be divided into mosaics to promote diversity and create a complete and self-governing ecosystem, without losing the unity and experience of the landscape.
Erosion protection measures
Long flat lines are drawn across the landscape. They are lines that we build out of edge vegetation (native shrubs). They serve as locations where water, coming from the slope, slows down and infiltrates. These lines, or slope terraces, create a unique, complementary biotope that also prevents erosion.
Food forest as a complementary resource for lo c al gastronomy
Fertile (rich in fertilisers) fields and grasslands are also undergoing a transformation. They provide an additional habitat by creating a lowland, wetter area. A food forest will surround this lowland. Despite maintaining the mandatory agricultural function of the lands, they are still part of a new, rich ecosystem. Together with local gastronomy, the plan for food forests is being further developed.
Landscape route with balconies
Together with the forest development, the opportunity arises to integrate a landscape route. This route connects the idyllic town of Durbuy with the nearby village of Bohon. Along the route, there are several special landscape balconies, offering breathtaking views over the Ourthe Valley.
Landscape first
For us, the landscape always comes first. The start does not begin with the creation of the housing units, but with the first actions to promote the forest project and the development of a unique ecosystem, with forests, rich edge zones, grafts, food forest, open flower meadows and open water.
- Location
- Durbuy
- Status
- Design phase
- Client
- Alychlo
- Together with
- Buiting Advies, MULTIPLE architecture & urbanism, Arcadis.
- Beeld
- Prompto