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Architects: Synopsis Architecture
- Area: 681 m²
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Photographs:Tim Van de Velde
Text description provided by the architects. The project concerns the remodeling of a former warehouse into four standing apartments, an office space, and a covered five places parking. The building is situated in Brussels, in a neighborhood known to be rich in “Art Nouveau” style buildings.
Our challenge was to integrate the new building within the historical context, without any concession on the architectural language. Our attitude was to preserve the industrial character of the former construction in the inside, by conceiving flexible, luminous and free from structural constraints spaces.
To do so, the initial structure made of metallic columns supporting concrete floors has been kept, and the service spaces have been rationalized to liberate the living spaces as much as possible. Also, sliding doors allow diversifying the uses and configurations inside the different apartments.
In the outside, the front elevation initially made of aluminum panels has been completely removed and replaced by a contemporary façade composed of white stones (“pierres de France”) enclosed in a black metal frame. The windows are made of double glazing with aluminum frames (Schuco).
Due to the existing structure the elevations got a “free of charges” design like it’s usually done in the big offices buildings. The rear elevation in old bricks has been partially demolished to create large windows offering views on the privative terraces with south orientation. The top floor of the building is clad with zinc (black version VM Zinc).
As for the elevations, a lot of attention has been brought to the quality of the materials used inside each apartment. The floors are all made of smooth concrete, the kitchen's central unit is made of inox and wood (Bankirai), and the bathrooms of mosaics (Bisazza), with the furniture in Corian. (Structure in black panels of lacquered MDF). One of our preoccupations was also to specially take care of the insulation system, and to have a rational and ecological use of the energy, notably by the use of natural of solar panels for the hot water supply.
