The house is constructed on a very small plot of land in the centre of Antwerp. Measuring only 4 meters wide and 12 meters deep, the challenge was to create a maximum of spatial quality, an abundance of light, and a maximum of contact between the spaces. To establish this we organised the spaces in split-levels around a central staircase and void on the top 3 levels. These 3 levels contain the living areas (work, kitchen, dining, sitting-room and library).
On the lower levels we organised the bedrooms and bathrooms, the ground level serves as /multifuncitional space and laundryroom. The house opens up towards the higher levels, the higher you go, the more light streams in through the rear south facade. The sitting room on the top level has inclined windows on both sides. The front window gives the impression of an airplane cockpit. From the sofa you see only the sky
: a piece of art in progress,so we don't need any art on our walls
Because the street is very narrow the front facade is asymmetrically cantilevered, this opens the views towards the street, and adds a lot of spatial quality.
The split-levels and the asymmetrical facade gives the house a fair amount of complexity. To create a coherence and to avoid getting lost in complexity and fragmentation the materials are chosen in a way that they create a unity and monolithic character. The walls have a natural lime stucco, floorplates in wood-casted concrete, a polyurethane flooring. All the furniture is made of birch multiplex. In the 2 bathrooms the same polyurethane as the floors, was used against the wall and on the furniture which is completely waterproof and practical to clean. (an experiment ..but it works very well!)
The colors are chosen close together, uniform and not contrasting. The inspiration of the colors was found on a beach in the Camargue (France); the colors of the sand, the pebbles and the driftwood bleached by the sea formed a whole of matching natural colors that breathe out the calmness and serenity of the beautiful scenery.
The kitchen is the heart of the house and the centre of activity, and thus positioned very central, on the 3th floor.
Front and rear facades are made in a combination of glass and custom made steel windows. The facades have a maximum of glass, and are closed only where the functions require it.
We have tried to find an equilibrium in a modern architecture that has a soul, warmth and a specific character coming from the materials.
The total budget that was spent on this house is approximately 400.000€ and an additional 100.000€ for all the furniture (a total of 500.000€)
Total surface 240m² (including the basement)
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