An emerald-hued kitchen for a contemporary Belgian office

Set within one of four newly completed mixed-use blocks known as The Cubes, this pared-back office for a lawyer near Antwerp, Belgium, places materiality at the forefront, particularly within its finely resolved kitchen.

Occupying the site of a recently redeveloped malt distillery, the project balances industrial heritage with a quietly luxurious palette that speaks to both function and restraint.

GALLERY  

The kitchen has been conceived as an architectural anchor within the office, rather than a purely utilitarian zone. Dark oak veneer cabinetry introduces warmth and tactility, offsetting the surrounding whitewashed walls that have been treated with a lime and mineral coating. The cabinetry’s crisp detailing and minimal profiles allow the materials to do the heavy lifting, creating a sense of calm that aligns with the professional nature of the space.

At the centre of the kitchen sits a generous island formed from large slabs of deep green marble. Used for both the benchtop and splashback, the stone brings depth and visual weight to the otherwise restrained interior. Its rich veining provides a subtle sense of movement, while the deep green hue adds contrast against the darker timber tones and pale surrounding surfaces. The island is both a practical workspace and a sculptural focal point, reinforcing the kitchen’s role as a central gathering point within the office.

The marble continues beyond the island, lining the inner shelves of a full-height storage unit. This considered extension of the material palette creates continuity while elevating what might otherwise be a purely functional element. Murky green linen curtains further soften the space, complementing the stone and introducing a tactile layer that tempers the harder surfaces.

Elsewhere in the office, partition walls crafted from panels of glass and blackened steel reference the site’s industrial past, while framing views through the space. These elements sit in deliberate contrast to the kitchen’s darker, more intimate material language, allowing it to feel grounded and enclosed without being heavy.

Together, the kitchen’s blackened steel accents, dark timber cabinetry and deep green marble create a refined composition that feels both timeless and contemporary. It is a space that demonstrates how thoughtful material selection can transform an everyday office kitchen into a considered design statement, one that supports both work and pause within a modern professional setting.

Images by Piet-Albert Goethals via Dezeen

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