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Aging brewery redeveloped into artistic residences with parrallel zinc-coated block
An old brewery in the city of Brussels has been given a new lease of life as a series of homes for artists and creative industry professionals. L’ESCAUT in collaboration with Atelier Gigogne has now completed the build transforming both the building itself and the surrounding area of Molenbeek.
Split into 31 housing units and studios, the former Hallemans Brewery has been coupled with a new residential block which is drastically and deliberately differentiated from the original complex by its memorable zinc facade.
Whilst the two buildings are kept in dialogue with one another by the use of numerous footbridges, the architects never felt the need to imitate what was already there and as such designed an abstract tower with a completely different flavour.
The structure on the Brewery’s northern edge was demolished to allow an influx of natural light both into the internal spaces and to the adjacent courtyard. On a similar level, the upper section of the new building has been withdrawn from the property limit to allow a facade with the benefits of northern light.
More than half of the internal units are organised as interlocking duplexes with views on both sides and generous volumes of light afforded by the double height ceilings. Maximum flexibility is retained as the apartments lack internal partitions, enabling the resident artists to adapt their properties to the needs of the moment.
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