Social Housing Emiel Vloorstraat

The project for 24 social housing units in the Emiel Vloorsstraat in Antwerp, designed by Areal Architecten following a winning VMSW competition, redefines a dated housing site near the Kruger Bridge into a coherent and vibrant urban ensemble. Instead of dispersed buildings, the design opts for a continuous row of ground-floor dwellings, slightly set back from the street line and in dialogue with the adjoining gardens. This gesture creates a new public domain, complemented by a compact volume of stacked apartments. The through-living typology with double-height spaces generates light, views, and social interaction with the street, while the stacked units enjoy sheltered terraces and varied orientations. The freed-up space, together with a neighbourhood square designed by Grontmij, becomes a shared green meeting place. The project demonstrates how clarity and restraint within tight budgetary constraints can yield sustainable housing quality — socially, spatially, and urbanistically. An exercise in precision, collectivity, and simplicity.