Le Balloir - architect Charles Vandenhove

Le Balloir, 1988-2000

The current building was built in the 16th century and often renovated. The secular Abbot of Visé and Archdeacon of the Ardennes, Jean-Ernest, Baron Surlet de Chokier, founded the Hospice Sainte Barbe des filles insoumises here in 1698. Following a principle close to a general hospital, a mix of people were housed there: lost girls, beggars, vagabonds, 'frenetic', fools, madmen, etc. The qualifications vary, but it always involved women of which the government didn't want them hanging around freely on the streets. In 1770 there were 140 residents.

After various functions it became an orphanage for girls. In 1850, when there were 150 orphans, the hospice committee entrusted their care to the Sisters of St. Charles and during the two wars the complex had different functions: hospital and prison.

In 1986, the city, which owned the complex, decided to sell it to 'La Maison Heureuse', founded by Abbot Emile Gerratz. The buildings were renovated to better suit the planned project, namely the temporary or permanent shelter of children who were taken care of there by a court decision.

The Le Balloir project bears witness to the special ties between Charles Vandenhove and La Maison Heureuse, whose architect designed the head office in Ans a few years earlier. It is also a testament to the dedication of Abbot Gerratz, the founder of The Happy House, whose life is entirely focused on helping those in need. As with the operations at Hors-Château and Torrentius, this is a complex of high historical value that was once occupied by the Hospice Sainte-Barbe, some of whose buildings date back to the 17th century.

The new building across the street contains twenty-six apartments (2,400 m2).
and is completely made of exposed concrete. The facades are constructed with red colored concrete in the mass. The new building will be connected to a chapel by a footbridge above the roadway.