![White Housing / VIVA Architecture - Exterior Photography, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5e66/aee1/b357/65a1/f300/0064/medium_jpg/WhiteHousing11.jpg?1583787708)
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Architects: VIVA Architecture
- Area: 3200 m²
- Year: 2019
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Photographs:Koen Broos
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Manufacturers: AutoDesk, Saint-Gobain, Aliplast, Azuleo, Stone, Van Beveren
![White Housing / VIVA Architecture - Interior Photography, Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5e66/b032/b357/65a1/f300/006c/medium_jpg/WhiteHousing1.jpg?1583788046)
Text description provided by the architects. On the 'Leien', the main 'boulevard' of the Antwerp city center, an empty post-modern office building is reconverted to apartments with distinct terraces. The ground floor office space is extended by new wooden construction and opens onto a quiet courtyard. The white color of the historic boulevard buildings is re-imagined in the straightforward and rhythmic play of the facade.
![White Housing / VIVA Architecture - Interior Photography, Stairs, Facade, Handrail](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5e66/af38/b357/658e/fb00/00ec/medium_jpg/WhiteHousing2.jpg?1583787795)
This post-modern office building from the seventies is located on the boulevard of Antwerp. The concrete rib structure and a steel double skin facade allowed us to transform this into a residential building. Three apartments are created on each floor and 2 penthouses on the top floor. The existing facade wasn’t compatible with this new residential function, nor did it fit within the image of the “Leien” in Antwerp.
![White Housing / VIVA Architecture - Exterior Photography, Glass, Door](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5e66/afb4/b357/65a1/f300/0069/medium_jpg/KoenBroos-VIVAArchitecture5.jpg?1583787921)
![White Housing / VIVA Architecture - Image 18 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5e66/b457/b357/65a1/f300/0079/newsletter/VIVAArchitecture-WhiteHousing-0.jpg?1583789131)
![White Housing / VIVA Architecture - Interior Photography](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5e66/afe7/b357/658e/fb00/00ef/newsletter/WhiteHousing3.jpg?1583787972)
The prominent nature of the building is emphasized in the facade materials. The white concrete cladding arms the building for the future and gives it a light character. This white color is repeated throughout the facade so that the building acquires a more reserved and neutral character within the neighborhood. This contrasts sharply with the original post-modernist facade. The white facade is a contemporary interpretation of the 19th century white classicistic buildings erected in the city center. The city of Antwerp was then called the "white city". This feeling is enhanced by a fully glazed front facade and the white terraces over the entire width.
![White Housing / VIVA Architecture - Interior Photography, Wood](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5e66/b103/b357/658e/fb00/00f5/medium_jpg/KoenBroos-VIVAArchitecture8.jpg?1583788254)
On the ground floor is room for commercial space, which runs through the entire building and is expanded within the courtyard. This extension is constructed from a light wooden structure to minimize the load on the underground parking.
![White Housing / VIVA Architecture - Interior Photography, Windows, Glass](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5e66/b08f/b357/658e/fb00/00f3/newsletter/KoenBroos-VIVAArchitecture7.jpg?1583788141)
The white color of the facade is also continued in this extension. The courtyard is completely enclosed and this white color gives a spacious feeling. Because we want to emphasize the quality of this outdoor space, it was also designed as a courtyard garden. By creating this courtyard garden we give the residents at the back a nice view. These residents will be given a deep terrace at the back so they can enjoy the skyline, with the Central station and the renewed Antwerp Tower as an eye-catcher.
![White Housing / VIVA Architecture - Interior Photography](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5e66/af6b/b357/658e/fb00/00ed/newsletter/KoenBroos-VIVAArchitecture4.jpg?1583787848)
![White Housing / VIVA Architecture - Interior Photography, Column, Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5e66/b0b6/b357/65a1/f300/006e/newsletter/KoenBroos-VIVAArchitecture6.jpg?1583788178)
Because of the mix of living and working this project fits perfectly within the new developments at the Opera Square, keeping sustainability and durability in mind.
![White Housing / VIVA Architecture - Exterior Photography](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5e66/b1d1/b357/658e/fb00/00fc/medium_jpg/KoenBroos-VIVAArchitecture9.jpg?1583788454)