![Apartments In de Stad / dmvA - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/63ee/942d/2b86/6c5f/7b28/ce94/newsletter/apartments-in-de-stad-dmva_1.jpg?1676579924)
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Architects: dmvA
- Area: 856 m²
- Year: 2021
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Photographs:Sergio Pirrone
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Lead Architects: Tom Verschueren, David Driesen
![Apartments In de Stad / dmvA - Interior Photography, Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/63ee/9431/e8da/b048/0444/856f/newsletter/apartments-in-de-stad-dmva_10.jpg?1676580022)
Text description provided by the architects. In one of the main roads to the historic center of Mechelen, dmvA designed a new building with six apartments. The project responds to the urban historic context characterized by 19th-century houses, narrow lots, and the presence of canals. For decades, developers have been struggling with the undeveloped terrain along the Sint-Katelijnestraat.
![Apartments In de Stad / dmvA - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/63ee/9432/e8da/b048/0444/8570/medium_jpg/apartments-in-de-stad-dmva_8.jpg?1676579954)
![Apartments In de Stad / dmvA - Exterior Photography, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/63ee/942e/2b86/6c5f/7b28/ce95/medium_jpg/apartments-in-de-stad-dmva_4.jpg?1676579953)
![Apartments In de Stad / dmvA - Image 13 of 17](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/63ee/9435/e8da/b048/1c44/8568/medium_jpg/in-de-stad-ground-floor-1.jpg?1676579958)
The historical surroundings, the small scale, the irregular plot, and the location next to a covered canal were often breaking points to realizing a feasible development. 'In de Stad' is a contemporary yet honest answer to the developer's request to build as many residential units as possible on a small undeveloped spot. The result is a sustainable, timeless, and small-scale infill project that subtly nestles into the historic urban fabric.
![Apartments In de Stad / dmvA - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/63ee/942f/e8da/b048/0444/856d/medium_jpg/apartments-in-de-stad-dmva_5.jpg?1676579982)
The canal at the back of the plot determined the footprint of the project: the new volume takes the shape of the deep buildings that once were built along the canal, thus restoring the historic fabric. The building is a modest interpretation of the two historic houses with stepped gables on the other side of the street.
![Apartments In de Stad / dmvA - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/63ee/9430/e8da/b048/0444/856e/medium_jpg/apartments-in-de-stad-dmva_6.jpg?1676579943)
![Apartments In de Stad / dmvA - Interior Photography, Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/63ee/942e/e8da/b048/0444/856c/medium_jpg/apartments-in-de-stad-dmva_7.jpg?1676579953)
The six NZE apartments are designed in such a way that it is comfortable to live in the middle of the city by preserving privacy, creating quality outdoor spaces, double-height rooms, panoramic views, and a semi-public outdoor space that encourages social contact. The bicycle shed along the semi-public outdoor space is conceived as a 'gallery' to stimulate social contact between the residents. It can also be used flexibly as a covered outdoor area for children to play. A passage connects the semi-public outdoor space with the street.
![Apartments In de Stad / dmvA - Exterior Photography, Windows, Facade](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/63ee/942f/2b86/6c5f/7b28/ce96/newsletter/apartments-in-de-stad-dmva_3.jpg?1676579930)