View of a glass window with clouds and sky outside, from inside a room with natural light.
Custom white floating shelves mounted on a minimalist black feature wall, highlighting modern interior architecture and bespoke storage solutions, by Tom Naeyaert Architecture.
Bespoke wooden library ladder used as a creative book display against a dark accent wall, showcasing contemporary residential interior styling, by Tom Naeyaert Architecture.
Modern residential staircase leading to an outdoor balcony, featuring dramatic sunlight shadows from a decorative metal railing onto wooden flooring, by Tom Naeyaert Architecture.
Close-up architectural detail of a premium wooden door and custom minimalist curtains, showcasing refined residential interior design, by Tom Naeyaert Architecture.
Historic building restoration with intricate architecture and arched windows, framed by a classic street lamp in Antwerp, by Tom Naeyaert Architecture.
Overhead perspective of a contemporary kitchen design featuring sleek white cabinets, wooden flooring, integrated appliances, and natural light streaming through glass doors, by Tom Naeyaert Architecture.
Contemporary residential living room interior featuring dark accent walls, large architectural windows, wooden flooring, and modern bespoke furniture, by Tom Naeyaert Architecture.
Minimalist white wall-mounted bookshelf with custom open rectangular cubbies against a dark background, showcasing bespoke interior design, by Tom Naeyaert Architecture.

Type: Renovation of 3 apartments in a historic building

Location: Antwerp

Client: Danar nv

Design & built phase: 2007 - 2011

Project status: Delivered

Photographer: Tom Naeyaert

This project in Antwerp highlights a comprehensive, four-year renovation of three residential apartments housed within a striking historic building in Antwerp. Developed for Danar nv, the intervention required a highly sensitive architectural dialogue between the preservation of heritage and the introduction of contemporary, high-end living comfort.

My main objective was to honor the building's historical integrity while stripping away decades of structural clutter. By carefully reconfiguring the interior layouts, I managed to carve out three distinct, light-filled apartments that each offer an individual sense of space and flow. I chose to preserve and restore specific character-defining historic elements, using them as authentic counterweights to my signature clean lines and minimalist design language.

The structural challenge lay in maximizing the entry of natural light through the existing historic facade. Through strategic zoning and open-plan configurations, daylight now reaches deep into the living spaces, emphasizing the generous ceiling heights and raw material textures. The final realization successfully bridges past and present, creating three serene urban sanctuaries that respect their architectural ancestry while embracing modern functionality.