In the centre of Antwerp there is a recently restored villa of timeless beauty, which combines elements of the past with modern complements.
The renovation project, designed by Architects Vlassak Verhulst, was based on the preservation of the original, classic style elements combined with very contemporary materials and furnishings. The rule followed was not to go overboard with decoration, to leave room for simplicity and “the right size”.
The house is divided on 5 floors: in the basement there is a space dedicated to wellness and fitness, with a sauna, a bathroom and a relaxation area; on the ground floor there is the living room and kitchen; on the first floor there is the bedroom, the bathroom and an office, as well as on the second floor; finally on the third floor there is the technical room.
The structure is characterized by a very elegant, yet welcoming atmosphere: the materials chosen, such as dark larch wood or burnt oak floors give a sense of warmth as well as royalty. Even the shapes of the furnishing accessories, as can be seen in the living room, are rounded and enveloping. The rigour is broken here and there by the complements, such as the black and white carpet in the living room or the geometric effect wall in the bedroom, which also gives a slight reference to the ethnic style.
That extra industrial touch is given by the metal, such as brass and dark metal used for the kitchen lights, one of the rooms that attracts the most attention: the client wanted a “bar effect” created with a central counter surrounded by vintage-style stools.
Going down the stairs leading to the basement you reach the space dedicated to relaxation: a sauna with adjacent reading area and bathroom. You can feel the sensation of entering in a modern cave, smooth and tactile.
PROJECT Antwerp House
ARCHITECT Architects Vlassak Verhulst
LOCATION Antwerp, Belgium
YEAR 2020
