KRUISHOF III
KRUISHOF III
Reviving Modern Heritage: Elevating Living Spaces
Year → Ongoing
Status → Design Development
Team → de baes architects & Boydens Engineering (Sweco)
Area → 13 500 m²
Situated at the entrance to Antwerp's bustling urban landscape, the redevelopment of Residentie Kruishof III leverages the necessary redevelopment as an opportunity to improve the quality of life for its residents, addressing the urgent need to bring this late 1960s tower up to today’s standards. The project prioritizes fire safety, structural improvements, and a general refurbishment to create a safer and more comfortable living environment.
Located between Kruishofstraat and the busy A12 motorway at the southern gateway to Antwerp, Residentie Kruishof III is part of a trio of towers whose modernist roots reflect the high-density urban design ideals of the era. However, decades of change, including the expansion of nearby infrastructure, have altered the area's functionality and aesthetic quality, prompting this comprehensive renewal.
Our design approach prioritises safety and sustainability, incorporating new fire-safe access routes via extended balcony structures. These additional volumes not only act as fire escapes, but also enhance the external functionality of the building without compromising its architectural identity. Each change is in line with modern living standards, supporting increased light, airflow and access to outdoor spaces.
The project goes beyond a single tower by considering the three Kruishof towers together within a broader urban vision. Situated close to Le Corbusier's UNESCO-protected Maison Guiette, we have to be mindful of the heritage context when designing the redevelopment of the tower. Inspired by Le Corbusier’s design of the Villa Savoye, our approach integrates the functionality of the fire-rated stairwell enclosure within the terrace structures, creating a language of curvilinear forms that adheres to the principle of zoning. The gentle curve of the stairwell guides residents from the terraces to the evacuation route, introducing an organic contrast that softens the otherwise rectilinear facade and adds a dynamic visual element to the modernist architectural language, all while meeting contemporary safety standards.
Ville Radieuse
Le Corbusier, 1930
Studio of Maison Guiette
After completion of the restoration, 1987
© Collection Flanders Architecture Institute, Archives of Georges Baines
Maison Guiette
Front and side façades
© Fondation Le Corbusier, Paris
Moreover, the nearby highways and the gradual loss of green space have impacted the area’s cohesion and environmental quality. In response, the masterplan places people at the center of the space instead of the car, reducing hardened surfaces, expanding pedestrian pathways, and reintroducing greenery. These changes will not only revive the area’s ecological balance but also provide more inviting spaces for people to gather, enjoy the outdoors, and transform the character of the entire neighbourhood.