MIKA House in Hasselt, Belgium by i.s.m.architecten

i.s.m.architecten undertook a minimalist renovation to MIKA House in Hasselt, Belgium. Measuring at just 5.5 metres in width, this narrow traditional row house is restricted by both the nature of its context and local urban planning rules. Rising to the challenge, i.s.m. looked to create space for a young family where every square metre counts.

Relying on partition walls to demarcate various zones and atmospheres would have made the space feel too confined. Instead, the architects turned to a curated range of materials used in different applications. On the ground floor, the same timber used for built-in furniture and storage cupboards in the living room is repeated on the kitchen ceiling, with vertical timber beams framing deeply recessed skylights. A mirror beside the kitchen cabinets creates a transition between the cupboard and the wall and gives an additional view toward the garden.

Also in the kitchen, bold purple and grey veined marble features atop the kitchen island, on the benchtop and as a splashback. Similarly, the floor transitions from plush pink carpet to cool polished concrete, which is continued onto the outside terrace accessed via full height glass sliding doors, chosen to maximize natural light. Differing elevations strengthen the sense of spatial qualities throughout the house. The further you descend, the higher the ceilings are, gradually opening up the space as you approach the garden.

With minimal decoration, MIKA House is all about combining and contrasting the various grains, textures, pattern and colours of the materials chosen for all the major surfaces. Marble, timber, concrete and pale blue cabinetry create an atmosphere that is at once playful and friendly, clean and straightforward. A natural continuation of the existing house, the bricks used throughout the exterior courtyard were recuperated from the preliminary demolition, creating a project that feels further integrated with the original house.

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