Collective housing in the nineties

Haringrokerij, Antwerp

In 1985, six young families decided to purchase a former herring smokehouse in Antwerp. A large part of the complex was listed as a national monument in 1987 and the subsidies made it possible to build a complex of houses surrounding a shared garden. Peter Vermeulen, former manager at Stramien architects, served as both architect and client on this project. Thirty years on, the families still live there, but are looking for a new location with smaller houses.

The listed sections of the property include the former offices and sales areas, the chimneys and work areas, and the warehouses and depots surrounding the courtyard. This is where three houses were built. The director's residence, including the garden, was also listed and converted into two houses. All that remained of the central warehouse was the steel structure, which was later converted into new-build homes. The residents currently rent out two apartments and several office spaces, using the proceeds to pay for the maintenance and upkeep of the buildings. The outdoor space and two play and meeting rooms with a kitchen serve as the common areas. Adjacent houses share a storage room, a laundry room and a stairwell or a library, thus serving as an extra connection and meeting place for neighbours.