Co-Housing in a Townhouse by Atelier Tom Vanhee: Adaptive Reuse Meets Collaborative Living in Brussels

Reimagining Historic Domesticity through Co-Housing Design

In the heart of Brussels, Atelier Tom Vanhee transformed a traditional townhouse into a modern co-housing model, embracing sustainable architecture, material intelligence, and spatial adaptability. This renovation project reflects a deep understanding of both urban renewal and the evolving nature of domestic life—especially the rising need for shared housing and collective living.

Spatial Strategy: Dividing for Community, Not Compromise

Originally a single grand residence, the townhouse has been thoughtfully reconfigured into multiple units while preserving its characteristic spatial generosity. The architectural intervention introduced a new, sculptural wooden staircase connecting the first and second floors, redefining circulation while maintaining the vertical elegance of the space.

An additional staircase leads to communal underground areas, establishing a hierarchy of access and privacy among residents. Each of the three vertical zones in the home is assigned to a separate dwelling unit, while shared spaces below ground encourage social interaction and communal functionality.

Material Expression: Plywood as a Statement of Sustainability

Material choices in this co-living transformation are not only aesthetic but ethical. Plywood, a regrowable and easily readable material, was selected for all major interior interventions. It clearly contrasts with the original building fabric, emphasizing the narrative of change and transparency.

The staircases, constructed entirely from wood, serve dual roles: one of circulatory clarity and the other of regulatory compliance, as they meet strict fire-resistance requirements for evacuation. Decisions were heavily influenced by life cycle assessments, aligning the project with environmentally conscious design benchmarks like the NIBE scale.

Optimizing Small Spaces Through Design

In more intimate zones like bathrooms, small-format tiles were used to visually expand the sense of space. These tactile surfaces enhance daily experience while subtly echoing the townhouse’s domestic heritage.

A New Blueprint for Urban Co-Living

This project sets a precedent for how existing architecture can be reimagined for collective living without losing its soul. Atelier Tom Vanhee has managed to delicately balance heritage preservation, fire safety, and environmental performance—all within a collaborative urban housing model.

The design speaks to larger themes in contemporary architecture: co-living as a sustainable housing typology, adaptation over demolition, and the use of wood and plywood as expressive, renewable materials for urban interiors.

All Photographs are works of Filip Dujardin