HOUSE TP

DmvA architects are transforming this 'uninhabitable' residence into a comfortable place to stay. Changing a house into a home, literally in the shadow of the adjacent church in the centre of Mechelen. A yellow steel structure immediately attracts attention when you walk past the white gate into the inner patio. As a result, a small glass city garden appears to be floating in the air. This allows the conservatory to catch more sunlight, while it creates an agreeable shaded area for the inner garden on the ground floor. Height and daylight completely transform the original dark and enclosed residence. The architects have turned the layout of the rooms upside down by organising the flow of the house in line with the living patterns of the occupant, who uses and experiences things in reverse order. The living room is located at the bottom, whereas the kitchen is on the top floor. The bedroom is on the first floor with the church as a background in the morning. Smart organisation and functional requirements with respect to usage and daylight are reflected in both the interior and exterior. Not only does the occupant benefit from this, it also gives the street a new image.

This project was opened on the occasion of the 2019 Day of Architecture. The text is based on a contribution by Maxine Vanhoutte.