British design studio David Chipperfield Architects has completed the Hertogensite residential complex, which is located in Leuven, Belgium. It is comprised of three housing typologies that blend a series of interconnected forms made with brick materials. It rests on a narrow site that borders the city's medieval wall and the river Dyle. It features a 14-story tower, a small apartment block, and nine townhouses together.
Associate at David Chipperfield Architects, Julien Gouiric shares, "The design process was influenced by two main questions: how to tie together three different typologies into one coherent building, and how the building should respond to its unique surroundings. The townhouses, a small apartment building and a tower were unified by the architectural expression of each unit."
Image Credit: Maxime Delvaux
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Modular Housing Typologies
- The combination of a tower, apartment block, and townhouses into a cohesive residential complex showcases innovative modular housing designs.
- Interconnected Urban Architecture
- The integration of various housing forms on a narrow site with historical significance reflects a trend towards interconnected urban architecture.
- Brick-clad Exteriors
- Utilizing brick materials for the building's facade demonstrates a resurgence in traditional construction materials blended with modern design.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Real Estate Development
- Developers can explore new opportunities in creating mixed-use residential complexes that combine different housing typologies.
- Architectural Design
- Architectural firms are increasingly focusing on blending historical context with contemporary design in urban settings.
- Construction Materials
- The use of brick-clad exteriors highlights a demand for traditional yet versatile construction materials in modern projects.
