A genteel residence with a history, re-invented for today
Behind the splendid façade of this genteel residence in Ghent, its original interior consisted of many separate rooms and had stood still over time. “Everything felt very dark and the original materials lay hidden under layers of different finishings,” explains Thomas from Marge architects.
“Our ambition was therefore two-fold: on the one hand, we wanted to bring the building's history to light once again, while on the other hand, we wanted to bring the home into the 21st century – utilising contemporary comfort, convenience and design as our guiding principle.”
“ In this project, we sought to create a cohesive house style, while still providing sufficient differentiation between rooms. Certain colours and materials are intentionally referenced to create cohesion, but each room retains its own character. ”
“We opted for the Niko Intense range because it includes rectangular faceplates without rounded corners. So whilst the switches and sockets are present, they actually integrate very well within the surrounding material and harmonise perfectly with the design of the interior.”
Flexible design that's made in Belgium
Niko had already been on the radar at Marge architects for some time, thanks to the craftsmanship of its products and the fact that they are made in Belgium. “We really appreciate that the products are made in Belgium; nowadays, that is far from being the case,” says Thomas.
“In addition, Niko has a number of ranges that are very refined and provide a great deal of flexibility. For instance, you can easily change the faceplates and incorporate different types of buttons within the same contour. It is a user-friendly system, not only for the residents, but also for us as designers. This makes it a system that is a pleasure to work with.”
Smart comfort that grows with your home
Marge architects opted for smart technology to complement the aesthetic integration of Niko Intense and the practical Niko Hydro solutions. “The complete network of the home comes together in Niko Home Control,” explains Thomas.
“It is an intuitive system that not only enhances the ease of use, but also makes it possible in the future to control the home in a different way or to replace certain functions.”
In this home, Marge architects opted for:
