Architect: archipelago, NU architectuuratelier
Area: 7,500 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Stijn Bollaert
Drawings: archipelago + NU architectuuratelier
Program: 66 units for assisted living, community center, underground parking
Partners: Democo (DBMF), Consilitech, AtlasEngineering
Client: ZBA (Zorgbedrijf Antwerpen)
Location: Hoboken, Antwerp
Country: Belgium
The Broydenborg Housing Block in Hoboken, Antwerp, Belgium, designed by archipelago and NU architectuuratelier, transforms a former industrial sawmill into a 66-unit assisted living complex and community center. Completed in 2024, the project integrates compact living spaces with community areas within an existing building block. Public routes were introduced to connect residents with the surrounding neighborhood, enhancing urban density and accessibility. The design emphasizes autonomy, community engagement, and accessibility, aiming to densify the city center while fostering stronger connections between residents and the neighborhood.
The densification strategy increases the living area and enhances open spaces, which are central to the design approach. These open spaces, conceptualized as a ‘park garden,’ serve as communal meeting areas for residents and include a public passage accessible to the broader community. The design introduces a public route that traverses the building block, linking various outdoor spaces, including a café terrace beneath a new colonnade, a small central square, and multiple green areas.
At the core of this project lies the Broydenborg community building, strategically positioned within the building block to act as the project’s nucleus, connecting the different structures. The building’s design, featuring covered outdoor areas along the colonnade, facade benches, and an all-glass ground floor façade, ensures it is welcoming and easily accessible. The eastern central square adjacent to the building provides space for outdoor activities, while the public route encourages spontaneous encounters and offers residents the simple pleasure of observing daily life.
The architecture emphasizes compact living through a rational structure and the use of durable materials. Besides the assisted living units, which prioritize autonomy for elderly residents, the project includes spaces for a hair salon, nail salon, laundry room, multi-purpose room, underground parking, and the community center. The units are distributed across three buildings on the site, each limited to four stories to harmonize with the surrounding structures. Most assisted living units feature dual orientations, allowing for maximum natural light and ventilation.
Exterior passageways along the façades extend the design’s focus on maximizing dual-oriented apartments while fostering a connection with the neighborhood. These passageways enable residents to step outside briefly and engage with their environment, reinforcing a shared sense of community.
Project Gallery
Project Location
Address: Oudestraat 103, 2660 Hoboken, Antwerp, Belgium
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
