Mercury House by Studio Contekst in Antwerp, Belgium

Project: Mercury HouseArchitects: Studio ContekstLocation: Antwerp, Belgium
Year: 2023Photography: Evenbeeld

Mercury House by Studio Contekst in Antwerp, Belgium

The Mercury House in Antwerp, Belgium, designed by Studio Contekst, has transformed from an industrial space into a residential unit. The first floor, previously used for various purposes, was converted into living spaces with a new entrance allowing natural light to enter. Concrete beams played a significant role in the interior and garden design, while the terrace and exposed brick walls added historical depth to this urban oasis. Preservation of Art Deco elements, such as round arches and mosaic flooring, created a seamless blend of old and new, resulting in a unique and cozy home.

Originally, the building was designed as two separate parts: a production space on the first floor and an owner's apartment on the second with its own entrance. The first floor had multiple functions over the years: from meat processing to auto service. In recent years, the Antwerp area has become more residential, making the conversion of the first floor into a living space a logical decision.

The former industrial gates were replaced to allow natural light to enter from the street side. For this, we designed gates with plastic grilles installed in steel frames placed on guides. They provide privacy and match the yellow brick facade. On the first floor, we organized day-time functions. Considering the concrete structure grid, we determined the layout.

Concrete beams were sandblasted and played a defining role both in the interior and on the site. Regarding these structural elements, we added features creating a children's room and technical space. The former chief engineer’s office was converted into a home office. Reusing valuable elements was applied both on a large and small scale in this project.

Industrial lighting was updated to modern standards and serves among other things as a pendant light above the kitchen. Most of the industrial space was demolished to create a large terrace and green oasis in the heart of the city. The terrace floats over the garden, while exposed brick walls remain to reveal the history of the place.

Some Art Deco elements were preserved in the former apartment. Round arches from the former living room now "separate" the bedroom and wardrobe in the new design. Common themes throughout all rooms are restored mosaic flooring. We also selected "inserts" to preserve other elements. In the former dining room, we solved the issue of combining a shower and bathtub in this way.

–Studio Contekst