In 2006 AG Vespa held a competition for the design and development of the site of a former printing works in Borgerhout. Collectief Noord carried out the assignment on its own account and decided to include, not only three housing units, but also their own office space. Ten years on, the residents have developed a strong sense of community thanks to the well-considered status of the communal interior garden and the balancing act between soft collectivity and sufficient private space.

The housing enclave is accessible on the side of the Lange Beeldekensstraat through a glass gate, and on the side of the Offerandestraat through a pedestrian passageway behind a fence. From outside, you can only catch a glimpse of the green area to be found at the back. ‘Most people actually wondered whether we hadn’t closed ourselves off too much from the area’, says architect and resident Erik Wieërs. ‘To open up completely and leave the passageway accessible day and night would be a naive approach in an area like this, where a little back alley wouldn’t be a plus point, but rather a problem.’