Photography
Cafeïne
Design team
Sam Peeters Chloë Morel
Year
2023
Residential
Antwerp
TRANSVAAL
Transvaal is the renovation of a layered townhouse in Antwerp-Berchem—a building shaped by more than a century of architectural additions and adaptations. Originally built in 1888 as a two-storey semi-detached home with a carriage house at the rear, the structure had evolved into a three-storey hybrid by the time we encountered it in 2022: a ground-floor warehouse with offices, topped by a private residence on the upper levels. It sat on a plot with no exterior space and was in an advanced state of disrepair.
GROUNDFLOOR
Transvaal is the renovation of a layered townhouse in Antwerp-Berchem—a building shaped by more than a century of architectural additions and adaptations. Originally built in 1888 as a two-storey semi-detached home with a carriage house at the rear, the structure had evolved into a three-storey hybrid by the time we encountered it in 2022: a ground-floor warehouse with offices, topped by a private residence on the upper levels. It sat on a plot with no exterior space and was in an advanced state of disrepair.
Transvaal is the renovation of a layered townhouse in Antwerp-Berchem—a building shaped by more than a century of architectural additions and adaptations. Originally built in 1888 as a two-storey semi-detached home with a carriage house at the rear, the structure had evolved into a three-storey hybrid by the time we encountered it in 2022: a ground-floor warehouse with offices, topped by a private residence on the upper levels. It sat on a plot with no exterior space and was in an advanced state of disrepair.
From the outset, the design strategy focused on discerning and preserving existing elements of architectural value—such as the original entrance hall, a 1990s fireplace, and the central staircase—while gutting the rest of the structure to make way for a thoughtful and resourceful reimagining. Reuse became a central theme: for example, the kitchen roof repurposes wood and steel beams from the former warehouse, now transformed into a generous home extension. By demolishing a significant portion of the warehouse, we were able to open the rear of the building toward a new urban garden—complete with a flagstone terrace and pink concrete outdoor kitchen counter.
From the outset, the design strategy focused on discerning and preserving existing elements of architectural value—such as the original entrance hall, a 1990s fireplace, and the central staircase—while gutting the rest of the structure to make way for a thoughtful and resourceful reimagining. Reuse became a central theme: for example, the kitchen roof repurposes wood and steel beams from the former warehouse, now transformed into a generous home extension. By demolishing a significant portion of the warehouse, we were able to open the rear of the building toward a new urban garden—complete with a flagstone terrace and pink concrete outdoor kitchen counter.
From the outset, the design strategy focused on discerning and preserving existing elements of architectural value—such as the original entrance hall, a 1990s fireplace, and the central staircase—while gutting the rest of the structure to make way for a thoughtful and resourceful reimagining. Reuse became a central theme: for example, the kitchen roof repurposes wood and steel beams from the former warehouse, now transformed into a generous home extension. By demolishing a significant portion of the warehouse, we were able to open the rear of the building toward a new urban garden—complete with a flagstone terrace and pink concrete outdoor kitchen counter.
The raised ground floor, 20 cm above garden level, is finished in brown polished concrete. Beneath a preserved hand-painted ceiling lies the dining area, anchored by a custom green plexiglass table that echoes the foliage motifs in the mural above. Additional functions on this level include a kitchen with a small seating nook, a hidden playroom concealed behind a mirrored door, and a guest toilet. A dramatic vertical void opens this level to the floor above, drawing in light and connecting the social spaces. Materiality and contrast guide the interiors. Glossy eggplant-toned volumes are set against stainless steel, Okoumé veneer, dark oak flooring, and crisp white walls. Mirrors and peepholes introduce a playful choreography of sightlines throughout the space.
The raised ground floor, 20 cm above garden level, is finished in brown polished concrete. Beneath a preserved hand-painted ceiling lies the dining area, anchored by a custom green plexiglass table that echoes the foliage motifs in the mural above. Additional functions on this level include a kitchen with a small seating nook, a hidden playroom concealed behind a mirrored door, and a guest toilet. A dramatic vertical void opens this level to the floor above, drawing in light and connecting the social spaces. Materiality and contrast guide the interiors. Glossy eggplant-toned volumes are set against stainless steel, Okoumé veneer, dark oak flooring, and crisp white walls. Mirrors and peepholes introduce a playful choreography of sightlines throughout the space.
The raised ground floor, 20 cm above garden level, is finished in brown polished concrete. Beneath a preserved hand-painted ceiling lies the dining area, anchored by a custom green plexiglass table that echoes the foliage motifs in the mural above. Additional functions on this level include a kitchen with a small seating nook, a hidden playroom concealed behind a mirrored door, and a guest toilet. A dramatic vertical void opens this level to the floor above, drawing in light and connecting the social spaces. Materiality and contrast guide the interiors. Glossy eggplant-toned volumes are set against stainless steel, Okoumé veneer, dark oak flooring, and crisp white walls. Mirrors and peepholes introduce a playful choreography of sightlines throughout the space.
On the first floor, we arranged a living room, home office, laundry area, and atelier. A surviving brick fireplace—an artifact of the 1980s—grounds the living space. Flexible furniture arrangements adapt the room to different uses. The original staircase remains intact, its timeworn surfaces preserved and accentuated with a bold blue carpet runner.
On the first floor, we arranged a living room, home office, laundry area, and atelier. A surviving brick fireplace—an artifact of the 1980s—grounds the living space. Flexible furniture arrangements adapt the room to different uses. The original staircase remains intact, its timeworn surfaces preserved and accentuated with a bold blue carpet runner.
On the first floor, we arranged a living room, home office, laundry area, and atelier. A surviving brick fireplace—an artifact of the 1980s—grounds the living space. Flexible furniture arrangements adapt the room to different uses. The original staircase remains intact, its timeworn surfaces preserved and accentuated with a bold blue carpet runner.
The second floor contains three bedrooms and two bathrooms. At the front of the house, the master suite draws on shop interior typologies: an open-plan dressing area flows seamlessly into the bedroom and bathroom, defined by partial walls that reveal or conceal functions as one moves through the space. A folding central cabinet reinforces this retail-inspired approach. During demolition, we uncovered a beautifully aged timber ceiling, now left exposed to lend texture and intimacy. Paired with dark-stained oak flooring, this level exudes a quiet sense of hospitality. Custom details continue throughout. Bespoke sinks, a steel basin in the yellow bathroom and a pink concrete version in the master, underscore our commitment to crafting one-of-a-kind elements tailored to the lives of our clients.
The second floor contains three bedrooms and two bathrooms. At the front of the house, the master suite draws on shop interior typologies: an open-plan dressing area flows seamlessly into the bedroom and bathroom, defined by partial walls that reveal or conceal functions as one moves through the space. A folding central cabinet reinforces this retail-inspired approach. During demolition, we uncovered a beautifully aged timber ceiling, now left exposed to lend texture and intimacy. Paired with dark-stained oak flooring, this level exudes a quiet sense of hospitality. Custom details continue throughout. Bespoke sinks, a steel basin in the yellow bathroom and a pink concrete version in the master, underscore our commitment to crafting one-of-a-kind elements tailored to the lives of our clients.
The second floor contains three bedrooms and two bathrooms. At the front of the house, the master suite draws on shop interior typologies: an open-plan dressing area flows seamlessly into the bedroom and bathroom, defined by partial walls that reveal or conceal functions as one moves through the space. A folding central cabinet reinforces this retail-inspired approach. During demolition, we uncovered a beautifully aged timber ceiling, now left exposed to lend texture and intimacy. Paired with dark-stained oak flooring, this level exudes a quiet sense of hospitality. Custom details continue throughout. Bespoke sinks, a steel basin in the yellow bathroom and a pink concrete version in the master, underscore our commitment to crafting one-of-a-kind elements tailored to the lives of our clients.
