17th house : Le Bois Marcelle

Constellations in association with Bois Marcelle Asbl

Since 1980, the non-profit organisation Bois Marcelle has been welcoming children with mental and developmental disorders to Marcinelle, in a wooded setting near Charleroi. This day centre currently supports 60 children, providing individualised and caring support.

A project in the spotlight: rebuilding L'Ancrage for autistic children

Among its various sections, L'Ancrage is a space dedicated to 28 autistic children aged 3 to 8, most of whom are non-verbal and require intensive, structured care tailored to their specific needs.

The current buildings in this section are now very dilapidated and no longer meet reception or safety standards. Unlike other parts of the centre, a minor renovation is not feasible. A complete reconstruction is necessary, at a cost of €2,380,000.

This new building will also create five additional places, providing an urgent response to the ever-growing waiting lists for this type of support.

A building designed for children with ASD

We are convinced that a well-designed space can transform the support provided. For children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the environment plays a decisive role. Stress, crises and difficult behaviour often originate from everyday sensory elements: noise, bright lights, poorly defined spaces.

The architectural project therefore aims to create a soothing, structured and sensory-friendly environment, with meticulous attention paid to acoustics, natural light, ease of movement and clarity of spaces.

The building will accommodate four groups of seven children, each with:

a Zen space where they can retreat in complete safety,
a Snoezelen space that gently stimulates the senses,
a separate, calm and reassuring dining area,
a functional, safe and ergonomic kitchen and bathroom,
functional storage space to support the work of the teams,
and carefully designed acoustics to reduce anxiety-inducing echoes.

A project already well underway

The project is progressing rapidly: the planning permission application has been submitted and is expected to be granted by the end of October. The AViQ has approved the plans, and support is now expected under the new Walloon plan.

Nearly three-quarters of the necessary funding has already been raised. We have just submitted an application to the Lokumo Foundation and are trying to get the Walloon Minister for Disability to attend towards the end of the year.