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Foto: Severin Malaud

Steel extension symbolises the power of simplicity

This private house in the centre of Brussels has been completely transformed by the addition of a steel extension at the rear. This 6 m high extension standing 4.5 m long and 4 m wide and weighing around 4,500 kg, was designed as a whole and includes an integral staircase. As the new building section had been prefabricated in the workshop (a process that took three weeks plus a further one week for painting) it was installed in just three hours. The pared-down construction of 5 mm sheet steel reinforced with a set of five 20 mm thick by 100 mm wide portals made it possible to optimise the additional space, and the painted steel serves not only as a visual signature of the project, but also as an inner shell. The waterproof steel cocoon also acts as a natural vapour barrier beneath the external wall insulation around it. The steel is also fully recyclable.
  • Private
    Location
  • Private
    Client
  • AUXAU Atelier d'architecture, Bruxelles
    Architect / Designer
  • UTIL, Brussel
    Structural engineering
  • Ateliers Melens et Dejardin, Jupille-Sur-Meuse
    Steel contractor