Wood cladding in Blauwpoorte | Govaert & Vanhoutte

Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects

How Fassade shapes the vision of Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects for Blauwpoorte

For the residential project Blauwpoorte in Izegem, Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects were looking for a façade material that would go beyond a purely aesthetic finish. It needed to reinforce the refined lines and rhythm of the design, bring warmth to the volumes, offer long-term durability and comply with strict fire safety requirements.

With the wooden Fassade collection by Woodstoxx, they found a solution that brings these requirements together.

Blauwpoorte, developed by URBES Projects, consists of seven residential buildings set within a newly created, publicly accessible park area, connected via bridges to the park of the 16th-century Blauwhuis castle. The volumes gradually increase in height, creating a smooth transition towards the existing park landscape.

Refined lines, a clear sense of rhythm and a high level of detailing, characteristic of Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects, define the seven buildings. The choice of façade cladding from the Fassade collection reinforces this architectural clarity.

A warm and coherent identity

Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects selected the Abechi variant, part of a collection available in three wood species — abechi, pina and limba — each with its own character and tonal variation. For Blauwpoorte, the Plato profile was chosen, finished in the colour Beaver and complemented with vertical slats. In total, 2,126 m² of façade cladding was applied.

The warm, earthy tones of Abechi give the volumes a distinct identity, while the structure and detailing of the cladding enhance the refinement of the architecture. Where wood could not be applied on the façade, particularly on the upper levels, the material was consistently extended into the terraces. This ensures that the material logic remains readable across the entire project.

Sustainability & fire performance as an integrated requirement

The choice of Fassade aligns with the ambition to realise Blauwpoorte as a sustainable development. The collection is based on fast-growing softwood species, offering an alternative to tropical hardwood, which typically involves a higher CO₂ footprint due to transport. Through thermal modification and the patented Duricoat treatment, the Abechi façades are resistant to ageing and external influences, maintaining their performance over time. The wood also greys uniformly, regardless of exposure to sun or rain. This provided the architects with the assurance that the project would retain its coherent appearance over time.

Fire safety was another decisive factor in the material selection. Thanks to the Duriflame treatment — a patented fire-retardant technology developed by Woodstoxx — in combination with Duricoat, Abechi achieves fire reaction class B. This makes the system suitable for projects such as Blauwpoorte, where strict regulations apply without compromising architectural quality.

This article was developed with the Houtconnect

Woodstoxx Written on 7 April 2026

How Fassade shapes the vision of Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects for Blauwpoorte

A warm and coherent identity

Sustainability & fire performance as an integrated requirement

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