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Collection by Aileen Kwun

Stunning Renovations in Belgium

These contemporary renovations bring new life to a range of building types—from a converted industrial loft, to a 1970s Brutalist structure, and even a concrete water tower.

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Two glass facades in the living space allow for an unencumbered view of the beech tree.
Two glass facades in the living space allow for an unencumbered view of the beech tree.
The couple retained the strongest architectural aspects of the house, such as the existing arch in the hall, and did away with others, such as a previous kitchen renovation.
The couple retained the strongest architectural aspects of the house, such as the existing arch in the hall, and did away with others, such as a previous kitchen renovation.
An architect explains his use of concrete in his apartment in a converted industrial loft building in Brussels, calling concrete “the most practical material. It’s warm, if you do it right. And you can clean it in about two seconds.” Photo by Frederik Vercruysse.
An architect explains his use of concrete in his apartment in a converted industrial loft building in Brussels, calling concrete “the most practical material. It’s warm, if you do it right. And you can clean it in about two seconds.” Photo by Frederik Vercruysse.
The main bathroom occupies its own level located centrally on the fourth floor. The nearly 15-foot-tall shower surrounded by tinted glass is a sort of “water tower within a water tower” experience. Lest you worry about a midnight trip to the loo, never fear—the tower has an elevator, so the hassle of getting to the bathroom in a hurry isn’t a problem.
The main bathroom occupies its own level located centrally on the fourth floor. The nearly 15-foot-tall shower surrounded by tinted glass is a sort of “water tower within a water tower” experience. Lest you worry about a midnight trip to the loo, never fear—the tower has an elevator, so the hassle of getting to the bathroom in a hurry isn’t a problem.
Located just off the entry hall, this room opens onto a lush garden. The residents commissioned the overhead light from designers Sylvain Willenz and Hubert Verstraeten. “The use of red billiard ball references Charles and Ray Eames’s Hang-It-All coat rack,” says Smith. The wall-hung light is by the contemporary São Paulo–based designers Luciana Martins and Gerson de Oliveira. The rug is a Moroccan patchwork from the 1960s; the teak-and-leather Kilin chair is by Sergio Rodrigues; and the cane-backed sofa is a student daybed designed by Hans Wegner for Getama in the 1950s.
Located just off the entry hall, this room opens onto a lush garden. The residents commissioned the overhead light from designers Sylvain Willenz and Hubert Verstraeten. “The use of red billiard ball references Charles and Ray Eames’s Hang-It-All coat rack,” says Smith. The wall-hung light is by the contemporary São Paulo–based designers Luciana Martins and Gerson de Oliveira. The rug is a Moroccan patchwork from the 1960s; the teak-and-leather Kilin chair is by Sergio Rodrigues; and the cane-backed sofa is a student daybed designed by Hans Wegner for Getama in the 1950s.