An elegant white tower with apartments has become a symbol of the residential area for 970 inhabitants. The new complex, covering an area of about thirty hectares, located on the banks of the Scheldt River, occupies the territory of an abandoned old Boelwerf shipyard. The local word, "De Zaat", means "shipyard". Today this beautiful place is being revived thanks to a new residential area being built in conjunction with areas for small and medium-sized businesses. The former Boelwerf shipyard administrative building, located next to the center of Thames, will house the municipal services and local police.
Many mandatory conditions were laid down in the district planning project aimed at protecting the quality of life and convenience of residents: for example, all residential buildings should have a view of the water, green areas, good roads and parking lots.
The layout of this ten-story building was conceived in such a way that the inhabitants of all apartments had the opportunity to admire the Scheldt River. But the most magnificent views are from the south-facing apartments. In the center of each floor there is a staircase-elevator hall, from which the owners enter their apartments, four on each floor. On the upper floors, there are three or even two superior suites.
The ten-story tower is faced with fiber cement panels of the EQUITONE facade brand. The crisp white EQUITONE [tectiva] TE90 was chosen by Bontinck architecture & engineering to brighten the façade.
Of particular interest is the layout of the panels on the Muretto façade. The authors of the project used two sizes of slabs in height: one, repeating the height of the windows of a residential building, and the other, equal in height to the interfloor overlap.
Large rectangular windows in three standard widths are composed of one or two or sometimes three glass blocks. This repetition of the same elements, sequentially in vertical and horizontal orientation, contrasts with the alternation of EQUITON panels and windows, giving the building a unique dynamic. And also, despite the rather deeply recessed balconies located at the corners of the tower in each of the apartments, it creates the appearance of the tower as a very unusual snow-white sculpture.
And although the corners of the building are delicate in their architecture, the traditional rectangular volume is nevertheless clearly read. The unity of the chosen finishes gives the Muretto Apartments a special elegance. Panels EQUITONE (EQUITON) provide an opportunity not only to clad facades, but also to perform in a single key window slopes, the filing of loggias and the entrance group. Yes, this building is not boring at all, the new residential building seems to be truly lively and festive at any time of the year.
![EQUITONE [Natura] N164 White: Delicate White](https://i.architectureprof.com/images/004/image-9928-j.webp "EQUITONE [Natura] N164 White: Delicate White")
