MB Residence

MB Residence is a minimalist residence located in Ixelles, Belgium, designed by Jim Dierckx. The project navigates the tension between preservation and contemporary living, a challenge that defines many urban renovations where historical fabric meets the demands of modern domesticity. Rather than imposing a singular vision, the intervention respects the mansion’s inherent character while carefully introducing elements that support how people actually live today.

The approach centers on material honesty and spatial clarity. Warm, natural materials establish a tactile vocabulary that connects the residence to traditional craftsmanship while avoiding nostalgic reproduction. Wood surfaces, stone elements, and plaster walls create a layered sensory experience, where each material performs its role without competing for attention. This restraint allows the architecture itself to emerge as the primary organizing force, with clean lines defining circulation and occupation patterns rather than serving as purely aesthetic gestures.

Light operates as both revealing agent and spatial modulator throughout the residence. The careful calibration of openings and surfaces creates shifting atmospheric conditions that respond to daily and seasonal cycles. This sensitivity to natural illumination reflects an understanding that interior environments gain depth and nuance through temporal variation rather than static perfection. Shadows soften transitions between spaces, while direct light emphasizes key architectural moments, creating a dynamic interplay that enlivens the domestic routine.

The spatial layout demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of how movement and pause shape lived experience. Circulation flows logically between zones, but the design avoids rigid compartmentalization. Instead, spaces maintain visual and atmospheric connections that allow the residence to feel both generous and intimate. This balance emerges from precise planning rather than expansive square footage, proving that spatial quality depends more on relationships and proportions than sheer scale.

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