Village centre

Ter Beemt farmstead, Zingem

In the village centre of Zingem stands the eighteenth-century farmstead Hof ter Beemt, now a listed building. Seven families purchased the dilapidated building in 2014 and carried out an extensive renovation under the expert guidance of aNNo Architecten and MVC Architecten. Together they created a respectful interpretation of this cultural heritage site, with a strong focus on sustainability. The project is just a stone's throw from the village centre, which has a school, shopping facilities and a railway station.

The farmstead consists of whitewashed buildings surrounding a green yard with a stately chestnut tree, a lush lawn and cobblestones. Each residence has a front door facing the main yard and was designed according to the residents' personal tastes. In the back, each family has its own private garden bordering a larger shared garden with a view of the open fields. The green yard, the French garden, the orchard, and the hedges and paths were restored to their original state, and form an important part of the collective space. This is where the residents come together and where the children play. An attic playroom, a workshop and a bicycle shed are the only shared interior spaces.