David Chipperfield Combines Three Housing Typologies

British studio David Chipperfield Architects has completed the Hertogensite residential complex in Leuven, Belgium. Located between a fragment of the medieval city wall and the river Dyle, the project combines a 14-storey tower, nine townhouses, and a small apartment block into one cohesive structure.

Design and Architectural Expression

The design, characterized by grey-toned brick cladding, unifies the different housing types while responding to the site’s historic and urban context. The tower rises above the complex, serving as a neighborhood landmark visible within the Leuven skyline. Two apartments occupy each floor, with a penthouse at the top and connections to a park and city views.

Integration of Townhouses and Tower

The townhouses, positioned between the tower and the apartment block, feature inset and protruding balconies. Their stepped design from three to four storeys enhances the relationship with the adjacent medieval wall and river, adding spatial depth to the narrow site.

Apartment Block and Site Connection

The four-storey apartment block at the end of the complex contains smaller flats and connects the new development with an existing building, completing the unified architectural expression of the Hertogensite.

Photos: Maxime Delvaux

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