Katoen Natie VA, Antwerp, Belgium

This corner building houses an exhibition and event space for Katoen Natie, combined with residential units above. The project is situated adjacent to the company headquarters. The headquarters - which consists of several former port warehouses - was previously renovated by Robbrecht en Daem architecten. The new project visually relates to it as a sort of continuation of the earlier work. The choice of a concrete façade and an aligned cornice height brings the two projects closer together. In addition to the concrete façade, the building is also partly constructed in yellow brickwork, which is typical of this district. The building thus reaches out to the other corner buildings at the intersection. The inclusion of this hue in the new building ensures material continuity in the streetscape. 
The apartments are accessible through passerelles on the inner side and have access to bright winter gardens and terraces. The exhibition and event space occupies the entire ground floor and is internally connected to the offices of Katoen Natie. This space opens up to a green patio enclosed by a concrete canopy. The figure of the canopy breaks through the high garden walls and provides a more intimate atmosphere and shelter for those walking past. This green patio is part of a larger, future plan to introduce more interconnected open space in the heart of this dense urban block.
Client
Katoen Natie NV, Feka NV
Architects
Robbrecht en Daem architecten
Program
8 apartments and exhibition and event space
Location
Antwerp, Belgium
Date
2017–2022
Status
Completed
Floor Area
2415 m2
Team
Paul Robbrecht, Hilde Daem, Johannes Robbrecht, Florence Daem, Luc Beckstedde, Sofie Weytjens, Charles De Muynck, Nathan Van den Bossche
Project Manager
Bert Heylen
Structural Engineering
VK engineering NV
Services Engineering
VK engineering NV
Acoustics
VK engineering NV
Contractor
Hooyberghs NV
Theatre Services
BLUE MOON BV
Security
FAILSAFE