The Moerbosch is the first of three blocks of apartments in the Gentiaan neighbourhood whose thorough renovation is nearing completion. Sometimes it is surprising how versatile an effective intervention can be. In the case of Moerbosch, a glazed facade replaces the closed wall to the lift. Lift movements are thus made visible, and during the evening the shaft becomes a bright lantern that not only brands the building but also illuminates the surroundings and the shared entrance.

Ten steps replace the lowest gallery floor on the sombre, unsafe north side of the building. This results in a new street with ten ground-access dwellings, while the residents could remain in their homes throughout the renovation work. The storage units also constituted a problem in terms of social control and management. A simple reorganisation produced seventeen clearly positioned corridors that cross through the building. Glass doors ensure through views and safety, and create a vibrant and attractive scene after dark. Both sides of the apartment block are treated as fronts and make the building harmonise more effectively with its surroundings.

The original structure formed a useful and solid basis. Effective interventions enable the building to function better as a whole, and refinement and living comfort have been given a boost. That means that residents can continue to enjoy living in the Moerbosch apartment block in the decades ahead.

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