Belgian Brewery Transformed into Modern Housing Project for Artists

If we could live anywhere in Brussels, Belgium, this awesome housing project renovated from an old brewery would be high on our list. Cheval Noir is a collective housing project with 31 apartments expressly designed for <a href="http://inhabitat.com/affordable-artist-housing-helps-revitialize-ca-town/">artists</a>. Located in between a public square and a canal, the building was <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/adaptive-reuse">adapted</a> to improve circulation and openness as well as lighting. An additional zinc-clad building was added to provide more space, and it comes complete with modern amenities like an elevator. Topped with a domestic hot water system, Cheval Noir was brewed up through a collaboration between <a href="http://www.escaut.org/architectural-projects/cheval-noir/">L'Escaut</a> and <a href="http://perso.infonie.be/pierre.vanassche/index.htm">Atelier Gigogne</a>.

The architects sought to integrate as much of the original architecture and structural elements of the former Hallemans brewery as possible into the new design.

In order to infuse the historic space with more <a href="http://inhabitat.com/category/daylighting">daylight</a>, parts of the north and south walls were blown out and new windows and skylights were added.

A courtyard of the former brewery is now a welcoming and open space for chance encounters.

Bright new walls are added to enliven the space.

An entire new contemporary wing was also built to increase the square footage and provide some necessary modern amenities.

This <a href="http://inhabitat.com/stunning-zinc-skinned-office-wins-2010-zerofootprint-award/">zinc-clad</a> tower, which stands above the rest of the buildings in the area, contains the elevator.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/category/green-renovation">renovation</a> of the brewery resulted in 31 open, loft-like apartments with no interior walls except for the bathroom.

This open floorplan of each apartment allows the residents the flexibility to define their space according to their needs.

Each apartment has views and windows in two directions (towards the water and the city) and operable windows for natural ventilation.

A <a href="http://inhabitat.com/category/solar-power">domestic hot water system</a> has been installed on the roof for use throughout the building.

Outdoor circulation encourages interaction amongst the residents, and the former smoke stack was converted into a barbecue for outdoor gatherings.

Work began on Cheval Noir in 2003 and it was completed in 2010.

Diagram of the brewery renovated into a new apartment complex.