Brutalist Duplex Apartment in de Riverside Tower / Studio Okami Architects

Brutalist Duplex Apartment in de Riverside Tower / Studio Okami Architects - Exterior PhotographyBrutalist Duplex Apartment in de Riverside Tower / Studio Okami Architects - Image 3 of 38Brutalist Duplex Apartment in de Riverside Tower / Studio Okami Architects - Interior Photography, BathroomBrutalist Duplex Apartment in de Riverside Tower / Studio Okami Architects - Image 5 of 38Brutalist Duplex Apartment in de Riverside Tower / Studio Okami Architects - More Images+ 33

More SpecsLess Specs
Brutalist Duplex Apartment in de Riverside Tower / Studio Okami Architects - Image 31 of 38
© Olmo Peeters

Text description provided by the architects. The Riverside Tower is a high-rise development from the early 70s designed by Leon Stynen & Paul De Meyer, beautifully situated in the bend of the river Scheldt, a stone’s throw from the city center of Antwerp. It’s here, on the 13th floor, that founding partner Bram Van Cauter of Studio Okami Architects renovated a duplex to match the brutalist tower which he calls his home.

Brutalist Duplex Apartment in de Riverside Tower / Studio Okami Architects - Interior Photography
© Olmo Peeters
Brutalist Duplex Apartment in de Riverside Tower / Studio Okami Architects - Image 25 of 38
© Olmo Peeters

When buying a new office space for Studio Okami on the 10th floor, the owner wanted to sell his remaining properties in the building; of which this unique duplex was one. The Riverside Tower consists of 20 floors with apartments varying between 90, 150, and 200 sqm. The exception is the 13th floor where duplex apartments form a unique layout with an internal corridor connecting both double lift shafts.

Brutalist Duplex Apartment in de Riverside Tower / Studio Okami Architects - Interior Photography, Table, Lighting
© Olmo Peeters

Studio Okami tore down the walls of this 5 bedroom apartment and stripped all the layers of finishing from the walls and ceilings revealing the beautifully textured concrete. The rough concrete was sandblasted and after all the dust settled Bram, Doris, and their dog señor Peña were left with a 230sqm open plan single bedroom loft space divided over the 13th and 14th floor.

Brutalist Duplex Apartment in de Riverside Tower / Studio Okami Architects - Image 33 of 38
13th Floor Plan

The rough concrete is balanced out with a peach-colored liquid floor trough-out. The concrete walls form the ideal backdrop for Doris’s art collection, existing holes and plugs define the position of every artwork. The few brick walls were cemented and given an authentic look by throwing little stones into the settling cement. Upon entering the apartment you are greeted by double-height pivoting windows overlooking the harbor and neighboring forest. The space is conceived as an entertainment area with kitchen appliances tucked away in a Donald Judd-inspired wall unit.

Brutalist Duplex Apartment in de Riverside Tower / Studio Okami Architects - Interior Photography, Table
© Matthijs van der Burgt

The kitchen island is designed as a sculpture in the room when out of use, but highly functional when in full chef-mode. Remodeling the apartment at 45m above ground level meant all bespoke furniture needed to fit the internal elevator defining the maximum size of the island and forced us to weld and paint the steel blue spiral stair and passerelle on site, a job well executed by Stielatelier. The new staircase was moved to the far corner of the room allowing for a better flow and reconnection with the views from the top windows when ascending to the upper floor.

Brutalist Duplex Apartment in de Riverside Tower / Studio Okami Architects - Image 34 of 38
14th Floor Plan

This 14th floor is much more secluded and defined by several up-standing concrete beams, sheltering the bedroom and study. On the Eastside of the apartment, a living room with a home office overlooks the skyline of the city of Antwerp. The upper floor is organized by a technical block housing the bathroom, storage, washer/dryer, and dressing.

Brutalist Duplex Apartment in de Riverside Tower / Studio Okami Architects - Interior Photography, Bathroom
© Olmo Peeters

Inside the bathroom, the peach-colored coating is stretched onto the walls providing a spacious watertight cell with double showers, sinks, and a bathtub. The slick walls are in sharp contrast with the overpassing rough concrete beams. At night the lights from the city and the harbor create a cozy vibe while the bathroom radiates a nice orange hue when in use.

Brutalist Duplex Apartment in de Riverside Tower / Studio Okami Architects - Interior Photography, Table, Chair, Windows
© Olmo Peeters

Not having a guest room was a consensus choice and an easy one to make as we are lucky enough to house family and guests in a secondary duplex on the same floor which accommodates Doris’s art gallery and B&B, providing friends and family with the full Riverside Tower experience. An experience it is; as the building can be seen as a co-house avant la lettre, a vertical street where all neighbors know each other and communal spaces like a washing area, carwash, and oversized entrance hall overlooking the communal garden, boost social interactions.

Brutalist Duplex Apartment in de Riverside Tower / Studio Okami Architects - Interior Photography, Windows
© Olmo Peeters

The Riverside Tower fits in with the rest of Leon Stynen & Paul De Meyer’s magnificent oeuvre including extraordinary works like the BP Building, Church of Saint Rita, Peter Pan School, and deSingel.

Brutalist Duplex Apartment in de Riverside Tower / Studio Okami Architects - Image 9 of 38
© Olmo Peeters

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:Antwerp, Belgium

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Brutalist Duplex Apartment in de Riverside Tower / Studio Okami Architects" 17 Mar 2022. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/978651/brutalist-duplex-apartment-in-de-riverside-tower-studio-okami-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

© Olmo Peeters

粗糙混凝土墙面,河滨大厦的粗野主义公寓 / Studio Okami Architects

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.