Toontjeshuis

In the historic Klein Begijnhof Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Ter Hoyen – the best-preserved beguinage from before the French Revolution and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – we are currently reconverting a historic convent into a new residential environment. After a year of collaboration within a construction team framework, this remarkable project is now entering the execution phase.

For Toontjeshuis, one principle is central: preservation through thoughtful adaptive reuse. The existing convent will gain a new future as a residential project with 15 housing units, embedded in an exceptionally calm and low-stimulus environment. This unique living quality perfectly matches the target group of Toontjeshuis: adults with disabilities who require a sustainable and human-centred living environment.

This project highlights the importance of strong collaboration within a construction team with in-depth expertise in heritage restoration and context-sensitive building.

By linking historic heritage with a contemporary social purpose, the project creates value on multiple levels: architectural, social and historical.