Nestled in a hidden corner of Brussels’ city center, the passive house brings high-quality urban living to a narrow plot between tall apartment buildings. The design replaces a former two-story workshop, which no longer meets the needs of its occupants or matches the architectural scale of the street. The new four-story residence harmonizes with the diverse surroundings by seamlessly blending the typologies of an industrial building and a mansion, both characteristic of the neighborhood.
A bold architectural gesture, a blank protrusion hanging over the entrance, gives the shallow building depth and character. This element also creates space for curved lateral windows with oblique views toward a nearby tree-lined boulevard and organizes the façade composition. The façade showcases craftsmanship, composed of red-brown bricks arranged in a cross-masonry pattern with both glazed and unglazed blocks. The brickwork features a rich texture with bricks cut to five different sizes. This variety allows the brickwork to seamlessly contour the building’s rounded corners and curved window reveals, evoking the plasticity of Brussels’ stone Art Nouveau buildings.
The design of the interior is centered around a clear and symmetrical layout, with a prominent entrance that welcomes visitors onto the ground floor. Upon entering, guests are greeted by an inviting entryway leading to a curved corridor. This corridor leads them to a staircase adorned with orange balustrades. The decision to position the stairs on the east side rather than in the center was influenced by the shape of the plot and building codes. This choice resulted in an oval, tower-like circulation space that balances symmetry with practicality.
The house is stacked vertically, with each floor serving a distinct purpose. The ground floor houses a guest room and garage, while the second floor is dedicated to the children’s rooms and a shared playroom. The parents’ suite, complete with a bedroom, private bathroom, and study, occupies the third floor. The uppermost floor is reserved for the kitchen and living room, opening onto the south-facing balcony. A furnished rooftop terrace with a half-bath further enhances the living space, offering an urban panorama.