An Eclectic and Lively Contemporary Home in Antwerp, Belgium

Studio Job Loft by Studio Job

The building was located in the trendy, multicultural Zurenborg area near Dageraadplaats in the city centre. In recent times, the neighbourhood has seen an influx of creative people — including architects, designers and artists — who gave it a new lease on life and attracted restaurants, cafes and bars.

This urban loft — which was once a warehouse and then a school for the Orthodox Jewish community — was a huge 1100-square-metre space with high ceilings spread over two floors, plus a roof garden said to be one of the largest in the city.

The building, originally constructed in the 1950s, was totally remodelled in 2008, when it was divided into huge floors accessed by an industrial elevator and reduced to a concrete skeleton. Job Smeets wanted to retain the tough concrete look, but he have softened it, adding natural wood panelling on some walls and polished epoxy resin flooring in a neutral grey that resembles cement but has a much softer texture.

But what really humanises this property is the collection of museum-quality furniture and objects that are this couple’s passion. Studio Job were meticulous and enthusiastic collectors who waited until they find a perfectly preserved example of a piece without any kind of restoration.

In the vast space, contemporary artworks are mixed with pieces found in antique shops and flea markets, frequently from the early 20th-century, during the modern period. There are also significant, cutting-edge mid-century and contemporary designs, as well as items the studio has designed themselves.