What was, during the 1960s a mid-century office in Antwerp came to be, nowadays, a modern penthouse. How did this happen? Well, this amazing home makeover was carried out by the Belgian architect Hans Verstuyft and the result was a two-story penthouse with a stunning view over the city.
SEE ALSO: MAKEOVER: THIS GARAGE WAS TURNED INTO THE COOLNESS HOME
The penthouse, which sits atop a steel- and glass-fronted office building, was designed by Verstuyft as both a home and office for himself, thus staying true to the building’s first use.
Being a two-story residence, the architect took upon himself the construction of an indoor/open-air courtyard, which makes the house feel more open and airy.
Verstuyft describes the lower floor as his home office. It is mostly taken up by a large office space, a meeting room and a workshop.
The living room, much like all gathering spaces, sits on the penthouse’s second floor and was thought to be a very minimalist and clean space. It features a small library, very inviting for a cozy evening with a nice book.
EDITOR’S CHOICE:
DelightFULL’s Sinatra suspension lamp would look stunning in this minimalist living room!
Verstuyft finished the minimal interior with traditional elements such as lime-washed walls, bronze anodized aluminum window frames and brass detailing that would create a “non-office building atmosphere”.
The architect chose sandstone in the kitchen for the countertop and shelving, and American walnut for the drawers.
“These are old materials used as new, and they match the 1966 age of the building,” Verstuyft said.
Both the kitchen and the library also feature open fireplaces in recesses in the walls.
When Verstuyft designed the penthouse he projected and then proceeded to install on the rooftop a 3.5-by-3.5-metre counterflow pool.
The head architect of the project said that “while you’re swimming, you have a view over the whole city, swimming in the direction of the cathedral. Next to it is a small solarium. Le Corbusier would have been jealous.”
The façade of the building has been kept untouched, which ended up working amazingly with the renewed modern interior!
Photos © Hans Verstuyft
SEE ALSO: What you shouldn’t do before a home makeover: tips by House Beautiful
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