Construction of a mixed-use building comprising 7 apartments and 2 medical practices.

This project transforms a fully built and outdated site, located South-West of the city of Ghent, previously used as a car dealership, into a contemporary mixed-use building combining residential units with two medical practices. The intervention introduces a compact built volume and a generous shared garden, enhancing both the streetscape and the environmental quality of the plot.

The main street-facing volume is composed in three articulated layers: a robust ground floor plinth accommodating the medical practices and parking, two full residential floors above, and a slightly recessed top floor with terraces and integrated planters. This stepped composition respects the street scale, while maintaining visual subordination of the uppermost level.

The facade reflects the rhythm and materiality of the surrounding urban fabric, with substantial masonry masses, deep window recesses, and horizontal articulation. Natural wood accents, transparent balustrades, and slim aluminium joinery provide refined detailing and reinforce the building’s integration into the streetscape.

By positioning the volumes along the plot boundary and orienting them toward the communal garden, the design creates a sheltered and calm outdoor space for both the users of the medical facilities and the apartment terraces.

The seven residential units are designed to maximize natural light, privacy, and access to outdoor space. Integrated planters and large openings enhance occupant comfort while contributing to biodiversity and ecological value.

The landscape design enhances environmental quality, strengthens biodiversity and improves user experience. The garden will be planted with tall trees, shrubs and perennials that provide seasonal variation. Permeable surfaces and integrated rainwater management promote infiltration and support climate resilience of the site.

Overall, the project delivers a carefully considered, contemporary development that elevates the quality of living, integrates harmoniously into its urban context, and aligns with principles of sustainable, climate-resilient architecture.