In Schaerbeek, North South Architects designed a co-housing project for three friends, putting ecological choices at the heart of the building process. They reused materials, defined shared technical systems and questioned every unnecessary layer of finishing.
Reusing materials from both in and outside the building gave this commission an original twist. North South reused windows, tiles, sanitary appliances, a kitchen and even part of the main staircase, reinstalling it on another floor.
Brick walls were kept visible and lightweight partitions were finished with OSB instead of plasterboard, both an ecologic and economic win. For the build-up and finishing touches, North South worked with natural materials, such as wood-fibre insulation and clay plaster.
Even when structural challenges complicated the process, committed clients helped the team push their ecological ambitions forward. The co-housing in Schaerbeek shows how a dedicated team and out-of-the-box solutions can create lower-impact building and housing, resulting in a very rewarding outcome.
