As the functioning of the ground and first floor offices was to be assured during the execution of the construction works, the design task became even more complex. In order to bear the extra weight of the extension, the existing foundations had to be consolidated. Also as the bearing capacity of the existing structure, made out of concrete columns and beams, had its restrictions, special measures had to be taken to minimize the extra weight of the additional storeys. A steel construction of columns and beams dimensioned according to the grid of the existing concrete structure, was placed and assembled on top of the building. Floors made out of I-shaped wooden beams, structural walls covered by plasterboard and honeycomb plates supporting a thin layer of stone, all measures to reduce the additional load brought upon the existing structure.
由于在进行建筑工程期间必须确保地下和一楼办公室的运作，因此设计任务变得更加复杂。为了承受扩建工程的额外负担，必须巩固现有的地基。另外，由于由混凝土柱和梁构成的现有结构的承载力有其限制，因此必须采取特别措施尽量减少额外层的额外重量。根据现有混凝土结构的网格尺寸，将柱和梁组合成钢结构，并组装在建筑物顶部。楼面由I字形木梁、石膏板和蜂窝板覆盖的结构墙组成，支撑着一层薄的石材，所有措施都是为了减少现有结构所承受的额外荷载。

The spatial organisation of the three storey high penthouse is structured by a rectangular void perforating the two dividing floors within the axes of the horizontal grid and shifted along its vertical axes. Closed boxes housing specific living functions are placed between the floor slabs. According to their use and spatial appearance, they are covered with different materials such as glass, wood, stone, and plasterboard. Due to the open plan and perforated floor levels, the dwelling achieves an unusual spatial character. The sunlight entering the penthouse from the southern glass façade shining though the voids, provides sun and light throughout the three-storey penthouse.
三层高顶层的空间组织由矩形空隙构成，在水平网格的轴线内形成两个分隔层，并沿着其垂直轴线移动。在楼板之间放置了封闭的箱壳体特定的生活功能。根据它们的使用和空间外观，用不同的材料例如玻璃、木材、石头和石膏板来覆盖它们。由于开放的平面和穿孔的地面水平，住宅获得了不寻常的空间特征。进入阁楼的阳光从南部的玻璃Faherade射入，虽然空洞，却在三层的顶层公寓里提供了阳光和光线。

As the penthouse was placed on top of an existing building, the original volume of the warehouse was going to be altered in a dramatic way. Nevertheless the expression of the early 19th century façade from which the proportions are based on the golden section, had to be respected. Therefore, the dimensions of the penthouses façade were based on the same mathematical system. The glass façade of the fourth and sixth floor are placed backward a couple of meters which makes the fifth floor appear as a large glass box hanging over the old façade. In this way the old and the new are harmoniously combined but stay separated at the same time.
由于顶层公寓位于一栋现有建筑的顶上，原来仓库的体积将发生戏剧性的变化。尽管如此，19世纪早期的表象是以黄金分割为基础的，它的比例必须得到尊重。因此，阁楼外墙的尺寸是建立在相同的数学系统基础上的。第四层和第六层的玻璃外墙向后放置了几米，使五楼看起来像一个悬挂在旧外墙上的大玻璃盒子。这样，旧的和新的和谐地结合在一起，但同时又保持着分离。

Publications:

DZN Magazine, June 2014
《DZN杂志》，2014年6月

Kunsttijdschrift Vlaanderen, June 2012
Kunsttijdsch深层Vlaanderen，2012年6月

Photography:

Alberto Piovano
阿尔贝托·皮奥瓦诺