Project Carnot

Carnot is the renovation of a 98 m’ apartment in a 1930s building in Antwerp. Designed by architect Simon Kaisin for his own family, in collaboration with Fermetti.
Before renovating, the family stayed in the apartment to understand its rhythms and spatial potential.

What they learned reshaped everything. The long corridor that once divided the plan was absorbed into the kitchen and living room, turning circulation into part of daily life.
Glazed and mobile partitions now let light and views travel between both façades, opening or closing spaces as needed.

The most surprising move is in the bathroom: raised 50 cm to house new piping, it extends into the bedroom as a bedside table, while the lowered shower basin doubles as a bath for three.

Throughout, the old was kept alive. Exposed concrete, refurbished cast-iron radiators, preserved timber floors, even the original cold-storage pantry. Custom polyester by Fermetti and an aluminium kitchen and modular cabinetry by Atelier Belge bring durability and adaptability that let the home keep evolving.

Architecture & design: Simon Kaisin in collaboration with Fermetti
Kitchen & aluminium cabinetry: Atelier belge
Bathroom & polyester: Fermetti
Fotografie: Kaatje Verschoren