The former l'Ouate factory building, a steel skeleton structure with facing masonry, was completely gutted and renovated. The industrial appearance of the building was retained and now accommodates several new venues, including a library, exhibition and lecture hall, music and drawing academy, youth meeting centre and eight residential units.

The transparency of the circulation tower contrasts with the existing building and is, as it were, the site’s landmark. Yet here too there is a link with the past. The structure refers to the former water tower, which was demolished when the site was redeveloped. The entire building has been divided in such a way that optimum use is made of space and light. The residential units, eight lofts, are located on the first floor of the loft space and function independently via a separate access in the circulation tower. The corridor to the entrance of the apartments acts as an acoustic buffer between the living and working spaces in the building. The dwellings face the street and enjoy the light and view of the surrounding green environment.

This project was opened on the occasion of the 2017 Day of Architecture.