In the living room – cement rendered wall, open wall-unit in sanded stainless steel and mirror, bench in black oak.
Cement rendered wall, polished concrete floors and Carlo Scarpa-inspired fireplace.
Atelier Dialect has layered unexpected materials, textures and colours in the extensive renovation of Apartment A in Antwerp, Belgium. The result is a series of refined and, at times, unexpected spaces, that are, despite their seeming simplicity, deeply sophisticated in their spatial logic.
The cornerstone of Atelier Dialect’s design approach is the fusion of spatial thinking with material and technical precision. The studio name captures the unique design language of Founders Pierric De Coster and Jonas Blondeel. Their individual creative dialects differ from one other but are integral to the end-result which is about creating “durable, honest and universal design”.
Broadloom carpet on the floor, ceiling clad in black mirror glass. Curtains by Nathalie van der Massen, daybed by Jonas Van Put.
Kitchen bench and floor in polished concrete. Tiles were chosen by the previous interior architect – “not ours :)” said Atelier Dialect. Dining table and chairs by Maarten Van Severen.
The design duo explains that the original apartment had already undergone an extensive renovation by another architect before they were commissioned by the client to evolve the scheme.
Blondeel explains their design response was therefore defined by the limitations set by the previously made decisions. Bummer, dude.
The overall colour palette is largely neutral. Walls are loosely washed with cement, the highly textural, effortless finish acting as the perfect counterbalance to the rigidity of prevailing geometric lines.
Master ensuite and bedroom. Broadloom carpet on the floor. High gloss green painted ceiling. Metro tiles and mirror on the walls. Bath covered in mirrored steel. Small bench in plywood. Sink in satin stainless steel. Lamp from Peter Zumthor. Shower painted in polyester paint.
Sandy muted tones are momentarily interrupted in the bathroom, where a central partition hides a shower cubicle and toilet that has been entirely coated in mint-green polyester paint. A pastel glow radiates out of the space, projecting colour onto the white subway tiles that wrap the adjacent walls. A rectangular freestanding bath sits in the middle of the space, its outer surface wrapped with panels of mirrored steel that matches the oversized basin sitting across from it.
Atelier Dialect has created an interior that balances quiet, minimalist moments with bold interventions, bringing a playful, uber-cool feel to this Antwerp apartment renovation.