Coudewater

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, in Dutch. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

Description

Introduction

Near the Oude Berlicumseweg on a fairly rural-looking location south of the old main building, situated a former VILLA for ladies, later named PAVILION De Loofert, with surrounding ornamental garden and waterway. Now an office. The building dating from 1903 is constructed in Neo-Renaissance style. Originally the Sisters of Mercy cared for female patients here (headquarters in the Belgian Ronse). The leafy surroundings accord with the contemporary belief that location in the countryside in fresh air was considered beneficial for patients and staff. The pavilion has been preserved fairly intact except for some internal enlargements on the ground floor (1973). Rear gable altered in connection with the installation of a fire escape.

Description

The partially cellared, detached brick pavilion has an I-shaped ground plan and comprises two storeys and an attic storey under a hipped roof covered with pan tiles, with perpendicular roofs joining on the square end blocks. Eastern end block with gabled roof and two gable ends, western end block with hipped roof and a three-storey corner tower with hipped roof on the north-western corner. Between the end blocks at the right gable running terraces along the entire length, both at ground floor and at first floor. At the left gable a simplified lean-to canopy running along the entire length. Flemish gables in the roof panels at the long sides. Projecting moulded gutter, partly oversailing and partly sitting on consoles. The brickwork laid in English bond is enlivened by the use of differently coloured bricks in the ashlar frame, for the main masonry and for ornamental masonry. Furthermore, by marl stone stretcher courses and header blocks and a frieze below the consoles. Very varied, sometimes coupled window arrangements, including straight-headed windows and doors under segmental arch or lintel, round-arched or basket-arched windows. Mostly sash windows fitted with fanlights with yellow cathedral glass and small glazing bars, corner and shutter stones and sills of moulded stone. Front gable with projecting entrance, right gable with first-floor terrace fitted with wrought-iron balustrade, supported by raking struts on iron profile beam which in turn is supported by natural stone half-columns partly leaning against tapering brick piers. Terrazzo terrace floor at ground level as well as at the left gable. The lean-to roof at this side is supported on wooden posts between which a decoratively carved balustrade. Of the interior the following are of particular significance: original cellar with barrel vault, hall with marble floor and skirting, portals with pilasters, carved woodwork in the stair and decorative balusters, panelled doors, small toilet fountain, black marble fireplace, ceilings with stuccowork, attic storey with wooden roof trusses.

Valuation

The former ladies' VILLA / PAVILION ('De Loofert') is of general importance. The object possesses cultural-historical values as a distinctive expression of developments within mental healthcare at the beginning of the twentieth century with regard to function, appearance and location; furthermore as an expression of the development of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy. The object possesses architectural-historical values due to the aesthetic qualities of the design, the distinctive ornamentation in particular in the terraces and the alternating detailing in particular in the window arrangements.

The object possesses ensemble values as an essential component of a historically developed ensemble in mental healthcare. Furthermore as a distinctive part of the historic development along the Berlicumseweg. Further due to the historic functional-spatial relationship with the surrounding green spaces, roads and waterway. The object is of significance due to the integrity of the main form and numerous elements of the interior and the preserved original layout in a landscape setting with terraces and lawns.