Nieuw Zuid is a new sustainable neighbourhood on a former industrial site south of Antwerp’s historic centre, along the banks of the River Scheldt. The masterplan by Studio Bernardo Secchi & Paola Viganò organizes the area around public and green spaces framed by new buildings and connected by a central thoroughfare. While most developments use U-shaped layouts around courtyards, the design by David Chipperfield Architects takes a different approach: two perpendicular buildings – one residential and one office – define a generous central garden and create a clear urban composition.
The residential building sits on the eastern side of the site, positioned between the central thoroughfare and the garden square. All apartments are dual aspect and include private outdoor spaces in the form of winter gardens, which extend the living areas and strengthen the connection to nature and the surrounding public spaces.
The office building, built with the CREE System, embodies the project’s focus on sustainability and flexibility. This prefabricated timber–concrete hybrid construction method enables a design that combines long-term adaptability with high architectural quality. Each floor can be easily subdivided or reconfigured to meet changing workplace needs.
Organized around a central circulation core, the building features a continuous winter garden gallery along the east façade, overlooking the central garden. This space acts as both a climate buffer and a social zone, offering bright, comfortable areas for meetings, collaboration, and relaxation that adapt to the changing seasons. The building’s shallow depth ensures abundant natural light and effective cross-ventilation, creating a healthy and inspiring work environment.
At ground level, a colonnade connects both buildings and offers sheltered access to entrances and retail spaces. It also forms a welcoming transition between the buildings and the surrounding public areas. Together, the two buildings form a cohesive ensemble that combines living and working in a sustainable, people-focused environment.
