Private House Reiken III by Marge Architecten: A Light-Filled Vertical Renovation in Brussels

Located in Anderlecht on the edge of central Brussels, Private House Reiken III by Marge Architecten is a thoughtful and transformative residential renovation that reimagines a historic townhouse for contemporary family living. Originally a doctor’s residence with the clinic at street level and private quarters above, the home has been reinvented to embrace openness, natural light, and vertical connectivity while honoring its architectural heritage.

This 193 m² townhouse renovation challenges conventional ideas of expanding urban homes. Instead of adding volume, the architects focused on carving voids, creating visual transparency, and introducing skylights that pull daylight through the building from rooftop to ground floor. The result is a multi-level spatial landscape where daily life flows vertically, connecting family members across floors through carefully framed sightlines and shared spaces.

Reawakening Historical Architecture

The renovation begins with a sensitive understanding of the property's layered history. Once characterized by a carriage passage, later enclosed and converted into cramped utility spaces, the building had gradually lost its grandeur. Marge Architecten restored this spatial clarity by reopening the passage and stripping away later additions that compromised brightness and circulation.

By removing outdated elements and revealing original structural and material qualities, the architects established a narrative of renewal rooted in authenticity. Original wooden floors, classic interior doors, and historic stair details are retained and illuminated with newly introduced daylight.

Vertical Living: Light, Volume, and Connection

In response to the dense urban context and limited yard space, the design team looked upward rather than outward. A series of strategic voids were carved through the floors, transforming the home into a vertical house filled with interconnected volumes.

These voids stitch together a program organized by function and lifestyle:

• Ground Floor: kitchen, dining, and home workspace
• First Floor: main living area connected visually to the levels above and below
• Second Floor: children's zone and dressing area with soft, filtered daylight
• Roof Level: newly created roof terrace and urban allotment garden

This spatial stacking ensures that natural light reaches deep into the home while maintaining physical and visual dialogue between family members.

Material Harmony and Contemporary Craft

To preserve the home's historical integrity while introducing contemporary clarity, Marge Architecten designed all new joinery and built-in elements in a consistent language. Thoughtfully crafted cupboards, balustrades, and stair components echo traditional forms while expressing a modern geometry.

The newly restored rear façade is reinterpreted with brickwork inspired by the original street-side elevation. Brick plinths, frames, and details subtly echo the building’s past while marking its new chapter in a timeless yet modern aesthetic.

Indoor–Outdoor Continuity

The reinstated carriage passage now forms a ceremonial path from entrance to garden, lined with robust tiling that unifies indoor and outdoor space. This axial gesture, paired with thoughtful planting and the rooftop garden, reinforces the family’s desire for breathing space and nature in the city.

A Townhouse Transformed for Modern Life

Private House Reiken III stands as a model of sustainable urban renovation — one that values space, light, and historic character over expansion. Marge Architecten demonstrates how careful intervention can transform a once-divided townhouse into a light-filled, connected family home that adapts to contemporary life while celebrating built heritage.

All photographs are works of Johnny Umans