2021 — residential — concept design
Situation
This duplex loft covering the first and second floor of a small building in Mechelen needs a remodeling for a young couple without children. As they are both occupied with busy professional activities, they want their home to be a hideaway, reflecting serenity and a peaceful atmosphere and offering various possibilities for relaxing and entertaining.
Unconventional puzzle
This relatively compact volume resulted in a rather unconventional puzzle to create a useful layout balancing the entry of natural light and guaranteeing sufficient privacy for its residents. I used two focus points for our design: the spacious rooftop terrace on the second floor and a nice piece of greenery across the street. Therefore, I chose to atypically locate the main living spaces on the second floor to ensure close contact between the dining area and the rooftop terrace in the back and bring in the natural landscape in the music/reading corner and the sitting area in front. The kitchen — almost invisible when not in use — elegantly covers the entire depth of the apartment and provides the connection between the eating and seating areas without disturbing the visual purity.
Box in dark stained oak
A large volume covered in dark stained oak veneer raises from the first to the second floor and provides another connection, from the kitchen and dining area to the entry on the first floor, using a strategic void. On the inside, this volume accommodates a wet cell in green Winckelmans tiles, with room for a walk-in rain shower and a spectacular black built-in bathtub with atmospheric overhead lighting on the first floor and hidden storage space on the second floor.
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Inner two-story loggia
These choices provide challenges on the first floor. Logically, I filled the building’s darker backside with the toilet, cloakroom, wardrobe, technical space and washing area. The layout of the front part was more complex. Due to the limited space available in the wet cell, I equipped the bedroom with a bright lavatory. Next door, we have a separated home office/library which I extend with a two-story loggia, offering an outside-like atmosphere to enjoy the scenery across the street while interacting with the living areas above. Thanks to its West-orientation, this cozy little room is especially enjoyable in the evening.
Featuring Aqualex Twin Touchpad — Ligne Roset Togo sofas — Knoll Bertoia chairs — Vladimir Kagan Club chair — Classicon Bell, Minotti Cesar, Knoll Platner side tables
Materials veined arabescato marble — dark stained oak veneer — rough formwork concrete ceilings — light oak flooring — green 5x5 Winckelmans tiles
Materials veined arabescato marble — dark stained oak veneer — rough formwork concrete ceilings — light oak flooring — green 5x5 Winckelmans tiles
