ROEST

This project involves the renovation of an apartment within a 1960s Amelinckx residential tower on the outskirts of Antwerp. The design focuses on opening up the existing floor plan to bring more light, air, and spatial continuity into the home, transforming a once compartmentalised layout into a connected living environment.

Through the careful removal of selected walls and the introduction of a central timber volume, new sightlines emerge throughout the apartment. These interventions create layered and unexpected views, enhancing the perception of space and establishing stronger relationships between the different areas.

The project seeks to reveal and celebrate the original structure of the Amelinckx building while creating a playful dialogue between existing and new elements. Original materials and architectural features are preserved where possible and blended with contemporary materials, colours, and forms, resulting in an interior that acknowledges its history while embracing a new identity.

A central kitchen island extends the existing kitchen area and strengthens its connection to the rest of the apartment. Designed as a focal point within the open-plan layout, the island combines stainless steel cabinetry with a striking blue HDPE worktop, introducing both functionality and a bold visual character.

The central timber volume serves multiple purposes. Acting as both a dressing area and a room divider for the home office, it organises the space while maintaining openness and visual continuity throughout the apartment.

To introduce natural daylight into the previously enclosed bathroom, an opening was created between the bedroom and the bathroom. This opening is articulated as an open shelving element, allowing daylight and natural ventilation while creating a subtle connection between the two rooms.