Reprise House: Sustainable Passive Urban Residence by Marge Architecten

Reprise House is a passive, renewable residential project that combines sober luxury with lifelong adaptability in the heart of an urban environment. Designed by Marge architecten, this 200-square-meter residence in Ghent embodies a thoughtful approach to sustainable living, flexible design, and material authenticity. The home balances durability, comfort, and aesthetics with advanced passive house principles, ensuring minimal energy consumption without compromising style.

Urban Facade and Entrance

The front façade is a careful play of brick, glass, and recessed alcoves, providing shelter from rain while emphasizing material texture and craftsmanship. A robust entrance opens to a multifunctional space that accommodates laundry, bicycle storage, and a sports area, seamlessly integrating practical urban living solutions. Vertical brickwork, offsets, and patterns create a rich visual rhythm, drawing inspiration from interwar period houses while maintaining a contemporary identity.  

Interior Layout and Spatial Flexibility

Inside, a central patio cuts through the mass of the house, introducing light and ventilation to the surrounding living spaces. The kitchen features black tiles, structured glass, wood, and concrete, creating a tactile and functional environment. Beyond the kitchen, the garden connects the house to nature, while a curving concrete stairwell rises to the upper floors, offering flexibility for future adaptations.

Bedrooms and living areas are designed for lifelong adaptability. The floors are demountable, allowing the installation of an elevator in the future. Load-bearing walls run from the front to the rear façade, enabling potential open-plan configurations without compromising structural integrity. A wild green roof enhances urban biodiversity while offering serene views from the windows.

Upper Floors, Penthouse Quality

The second floor features a recessed volume nestled between green roofs, providing privacy and the ambiance of a penthouse. The floor houses a master bedroom and bathroom, capitalizing on views and natural light while maintaining a compact, efficient footprint.

Materiality and Craftsmanship

Marge architecten meticulously selected materials for durability, tactile quality, and aesthetic coherence:

• Concrete: exposed ceilings, columns, staircases, and structural walls.
• Ceramic tiles: black in the kitchen, white in wet sanitary spaces.
• Wooden parquet & linoleum: warm, resilient floors in dry areas.
• Birch multiplex: custom furniture, kitchen and bathroom cupboards, stair railing, and window reveals.
• Textured and dark bronze anodized glass: balancing privacy and transparency.

Every detail, from the alignment of tiles to the bespoke kitchen island, cupboards, and handles, is carefully considered to create a cohesive, functional, and elegant environment.

A Vision of Future-Ready Urban Living

Reprise House is a model for urban passive residences, blending sustainability, flexibility, and understated luxury. Its design anticipates future adaptations, promotes energy efficiency, and integrates natural elements, offering a high-quality urban lifestyle that respects both people and the environment.

All photographs are works of  Johnny Umans