URBAN TRANQUILITY: A RESIDENTIAL PROJECT IN ANTWERP
The project is located in Antwerp, one of the world’s major ports, which lies on the River Scheldt in Belgium. The city, offers the unique blend of a metropolis with a small-town feel. The site is conveniently close to the city center.
The project involves the demolition of a warehouse to make way for semi-detached houses with a communal garden. The warehouse is located on an enclosed rectangular plot of 265 sqm at the rear of a 4-storey residential building and is accessible through a driveway. The fact that the plot is enclosed creates the opportunity to create houses with a garden almost in the heart of the city.
The primary objective is to construct 3 houses of 90 sqm each, a communal garden, and a parking area for the tenants’ bicycles. The main challenge faced during this project was the narrow plot. Consequently, it was divided into two zones, solid and void. The void area is further subdivided into three sub-zones: terraces, a porch that leads to a small gathering space for tenants, and the garden itself. These three areas collectively contribute to an increased sense of privacy. In order to enhance this, an angled line is created, which is sunk and is separated from it by a low wall. Considering the existing buildings, the only viable option for placing the new volume was at the south end of the plot. The angled line from the floor plan is also transcribed into the facade, by forming shed roofs on each house. Additionally, large full-length openings are created to maximize the amount of light entering the spaces, given the absence of direct sunlight.
Each building is organized per floor into daytime and nighttime zones. The ground floor consists of an open space, which is functionally divided into 3 zones: the living area, the kitchen, and the movement area. On the first floor, two spacious bedrooms are situated on either side of the stairs, accompanied by a bathroom and a laundry room. The communal garden is designed to provide residents with a place to relax and socialize.
