Commissioned by LIVPLUS.be, Bultynck Kindt Architecten completed the adaptive reuse of the former Le Hibou – Den Uil pottery site along the Steenkaai in Bruges. The project combines the conversion of the historic industrial buildings into four dwellings with the addition of a new residential volume containing six apartments. The project has now been completed.
The site has a rich industrial history. Founded around 1907, the original Le Hibou – Den Uil pottery became widely known for its ceramic production far beyond Bruges. Later, the buildings were occupied by the Valcke paint factory, making the site an important part of Bruges’ artisanal and industrial heritage for decades.
Today, the site has been transformed into a carefully designed residential development where heritage, contemporary living and architecture are brought together.
Heritage as a starting point
The existing industrial buildings were restored with great respect for their historical identity. Character-defining elements such as the brick façades, arched window openings and industrial chimney were preserved and continue to define the character of the site.
Within the existing structures, four dwellings were integrated. The architectural interventions build upon the logic and atmosphere of the original industrial spaces, while contemporary additions clearly distinguish themselves from the historic fabric without disrupting it.
The four dwellings are accessed through a shared entrance within the former factory building. Inside the homes, strategically positioned voids allow daylight to penetrate deep into the living spaces. These vertical openings enhance the spatial quality of the interiors and strengthen the relationship between the different levels within the existing industrial structure.
On the street side, a later factory extension was replaced by a new residential volume containing six apartments. The new building responds to the scale, rhythm and materiality of the historic context while translating them into a contemporary architectural language. This creates a balanced composition in which old and new reinforce one another.
Materiality and architectural expression
The project’s material palette reinforces the dialogue between existing and new architecture. The historic buildings were finished with a limewash coating, allowing the original texture of the masonry to remain subtly visible while preserving the industrial character of the site. Existing roof tiles were reused wherever possible, contributing to both the authenticity and sustainability of the project.
The new volume adopts a more contemporary architectural expression, with exposed concrete elements emphasizing the building’s horizontal character and façade composition. The restrained material palette and refined detailing create a calm architectural presence that connects to the scale and atmosphere of the historic site without imitating it.
A layered residential environment
The natural level differences across the site became an important design opportunity. Because the site sits partially below street level, it was possible to integrate a parking garage beneath the dwellings while maintaining an open and green inner courtyard.
Above the parking level, a collective roof garden was created as a shared outdoor space for residents. This results in a calm and largely car-free interior area focused on privacy, residential quality and collective use within the dense urban context.
The dwellings and apartments benefit from generous daylight, framed views and a strong relationship with both the historic factory walls and the landscaped courtyard. The architecture carefully balances industrial robustness with refined simplicity, placing particular emphasis on materiality, detailing and the unique atmosphere of the site.
The result is a residential project with a strong identity, where the history of the site remains tangible while creating space for contemporary urban living in the heart of Bruges.
