Studio Jan Vermeulen (in collaboration with Tom Thys architecten) has completed a compact five-storey residential building within the dense urban fabric of Koekelberg.
Drawing inspiration from the many interwar buildings that characterize the neighborhood, a bespoke brick bond was developed for the front facade of the project.
Designed to offer its residents a community related and climate robust home, the building integrates shared spaces and environmental-conscious design features.

Building a Street

The five-storey residential building restores an urban block within the dense fabric of Koekelberg, a mixed quarter in Brussels. On a plot formerly occupied by a derelict industrial shed, its distinctive brick architecture is reminiscent of the many interwar residential and industrial buildings in the vicinity. Large, rhythmically placed windows, a robust roofline, and a canopy marking the entrance add to a dynamic streetscape of generic façades typical of this neighbourhood.

Bespoke Brick Architecture
Echoing the motifs and patterns of the neighbouring buildings, a bespoke brick bond was developed for the northern street façade. Five bricks, stack-bonded to create a larger block, form a pattern that ‘hangs’ from a cornice of vertically bonded headers. Sandblasted concrete is used to construct the entrance canopy and the subtly recessed lintels that further refine the composition.

Generous to All
Around a compact central staircase and lift core, four flats of varying sizes (studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom) are arranged per floor. The larger flats benefit from front-to-back living areas. A daylit circulation space connecting the flats forms a generous backdrop for social interaction. From the ground-floor main entrance, residents have access to a garden that serves as a communal place for rest, play, and social gathering. During summer, the garden’s dense planting creates a cool retreat in the middle of the densely built urban block.

Climate Strategies and Living Quality
To further mitigate the urban heat island effect, the southern rear façade follows different principles than the front. A reflective, light-coloured render provides a backdrop for generous external balconies, vertically stacked to provide sun protection and a level of privacy between the flats. A structure of balusters and vertical steel posts creates a framework for future plants and flowers to grow, adding to the garden’s cooling effect.