Tweewoonst Lepelstraat

The Willem Lepelstraat – on the border of the Sint-Andries quarter and het Zuid – in Antwerp is characterized by a heterogeneous mix of scales, styles and building periods. The only harmony is disharmony; only the addition of a new scale and design can mean a connection.

When two befriended couples gave us the commission to design two terraced houses, we decided to join them in 1 volume.

This way we can anticipate on various levels:

Urban development: 1 volume with a width of 3 plots can play a more pronounced part at this spot, a widening of the street.

Economic: each house has a different program, two different houses in 1 building is still cheaper than 2 separate buildings.

Contents: mutual formal competition is avoided, the shared initiative remains clear up until the end product.

To bring together the stringent budget determinations and the wish for maximal flexibility, the whole is split in a constructive 3-nave. The two outer naves belong to 1 of the 2 families and are open front to back. The middle is a switch nave and contains circulation and utilities. Here the differences in the program are executed.

The UPN profile as covering of the floor and walls gives, together with the 3-part and the rhythm, a classic character to this contemporary city house.