Due to the failing cladding of an office building from the 1980s at Frankrijklei 121 in Antwerp, a thorough facade renovation became necessary. VIVA Architecture designed a new facade with a carefully considered grid and window openings to create a harmonious connection with its neighbors: the modernist Financia bank building on one side and the protected neoclassical Dhanis townhouse on the other.
Full textThe existing facade had an asymmetrical look and featured various projections based on a dense grid of squares, reflected in the facade panels and windows. Guided by the presence of the two prominent neighboring facades, VIVA explored how the existing frontage could be given a contemporary appearance. By removing the existing bay windows, the facade was realized as a single plane to achieve a calm aesthetic. A repetitive composition was chosen—alternating open and closed elements—providing sufficient daylight to the interior spaces.
The windows, finished in a beige-white lacquer, were framed with a thin, slightly projecting edge to connect seamlessly with the facade material. These frames refer in a contemporary way to the window surrounds of the adjacent townhouse and cast a graphic play of shadows on the facade during the day. At night, the rhythm of the facade lighting aligns with the grid of panels and windows.
Material-wise, a beige, stone-like material was chosen and aligned with the window arrangement. This material complements the general color palette of the buildings along the Frankrijklei. The use of large closed surfaces combined with repetitive window openings, adds to the calmness of the new facade.
Both neighboring facades feature a clearly defined plinth. VIVA Architecture also incorporated a plinth in the design, reflecting the building's underlying structural framework through its mass. The addition of large glass sections in the plinth, interspersed with solid surfaces, created a lively effect with the dynamics of a window display.
The facade was constructed using timber frame construction to reduce weight and ensure dimensional stability. This method allowed the use of prefabricated elements, enabling a fast and efficient construction process.
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