Flagey House
Flagey House
B-ild
PHOTOGRAPHY
Filip Dujardin
PROJECT TEAM
Kelly Hendriks Brenda De Neve Bruno Despierre
YEAR
2013
LOCATION
Brussels, Belgium
TYPE
Commercial › Office Residential › Apartment
Two adjacent casco apartments were remodelled into a penthouse that overlooks the famous Flagey Square in Brussels. B-ILD proposed to alter the typical plan layout and to transform the two spaces into one fluid working and living space of 270m2.
VISTA AND BACKDROP
The architects used the existing open space to create a pivotal centre for each floor. On one side the space opens and surrenders itself to the surrounding vista, wherein the direction of the views determined the design of this open space.
The other sides function as a backdrop for an enclosed shell, which contains the functional program. Thus encapsulating the before mentioned open space in a trapezoid like fashion. Functions for storage are integrated in this backdrop. Private functions are hidden behind it.
They surround the open space leaving nothing else to focus on but the attraction of the view. A fireplace and library become visible through the adjoining walls. The two floors are directly connected with a curved staircase that allows a fluent connection.
STRUCTURAL PRINCIPLE
The positions of the structural columns were yet defined. By overruling the existing plan layout the structures becomes visible.
The columns are a second defining element in the open space. The geometrical grids of these columns frame the view and the spatiality of the apartment in an almost unexpected way.
MATERIAL, COLOUR, TEXTURE
The walls of the trapezoid backdrop are materialised by a chalk and cemented layered finish.
The adjoining rooms are demarcated by the application of heir own specific materials, with gold shining meranti veneer for the staircases and built-in cabinets, green marble for the passage way to the terrace and deep blue mosaic tiles for the bathroom.
The apertures between the open space and the adjoining rooms are framed by subtle black steel framework, accentuating the different shades and functionality of this adjacent space.
