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Client(s)Urban Living Project Management BV
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Construction siteAntwerp
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Project architectSteven De Paepe – Nick Verbeeck
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Architect teamSeppe Meyvis
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Main contractorTaxandria
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Year2023 -
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StatusIn progress
The student housing forms the cornerstone of the redevelopment of the Slachthuis site in Antwerp. With its sand-coloured brick façade and olive-green concrete joinery, the building seeks to connect with the existing Marbaix neighbourhood. The inclined shape of the piers is inspired by the trapezoidal form of the plot. They translate this distinctive contour into a ‘stamped’ repetitive façade element that introduces the necessary variation within the strict grid derived from the internal layout of the student housing. The result is a subtle graphic effect and a restrained architectural expression, giving the building its own identity. This also creates a design logic in which wider, aligned piers form the base, transitioning to aligned, narrower piers in the crown, with the central volume acting as a dynamic transition zone.
The horizontal elements between the floor slabs can be read as a rhythm of horizontal lines which, at the head of the building, evolve into recessed balconies.
A total of 134 rooms and 17 studios are provided, spread across seven floors. Every two floors, the living groups are connected by a central void that enhances interaction and cohesion among the students. The ground floor also contains a shared recreational space, giving the head of the building a lively, active plinth.
