The five-storey residential building restores an urban block within the dense fabric of Koekelberg, a mixed quarter in Brussels. On a plot formerly occupied by a derelict industrial shed, its distinctive brick architecture is reminiscent of the many interwar residential and industrial buildings in the vicinity. Large, rhythmically placed windows, a robust roofline, and a canopy marking the entrance add to a dynamic streetscape of generic façades typical of this neighbourhood.
Echoing the motifs and patterns of the neighbouring buildings, a bespoke brick bond was developed for the northern street façade. Five bricks, stack-bonded to create a larger block, form a pattern that ‘hangs’ from a cornice of vertically bonded headers. Sandblasted concrete is used to construct the entrance canopy and the subtly recessed lintels that further refine the composition.
Around a compact central staircase and lift core, four flats of varying sizes (studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom) are arranged per floor. The larger flats benefit from front-to-back living areas. A day-lit circulation space connecting the flats forms a generous backdrop for social interaction. From the ground-floor main entrance, residents have access to a garden that serves as a communal place for rest, play, and social gathering. During summer, the garden’s dense planting creates a cool retreat in the middle of the densely built urban block.
To further mitigate the urban heat island effect, the southern rear façade follows different principles than the front. A reflective, light-coloured render provides a backdrop for generous external balconies, vertically stacked to provide sun protection and a level of privacy between the flats. A structure of balusters and vertical steel posts creates a framework for future plants and flowers to grow, adding to the garden’s cooling effect.
