Commissioned to design a compact studio apartment in a newly built waterfront development in Antwerp, local architects Bruno Spaas Architectuur drew inspiration from “Dazzle camouflage”, a type of camouflage used on military ships during the World War I, in order to increase a sense of spaciousness whilst injecting a sense of wonder. Swathed from top to bottom in a two-toned striped pattern in a variety of directions, entering the 50 square metre property gives the sense of stepping through the looking glass, made even more intense as the interior is directly juxtaposed against the more normalised world of the lush, brick-clad courtyard, part of the housing complex by London-based Sergison Bates architects, outside. The clever use of mirrors and surprising pops of yellow colour further enhance the scheme’s optical whimsy, ensuring that occupants of the short-term rental property enjoy a singularly uplifting experience.

Optical illusions, also referred to as 'trompe l'oeil', have been a staple in architectural design since the Greeks began experimenting with how proportion, lines and angles are visually perceived—think of the Parthenon’s domed pedestal and ‘swelling’ columns. Over the centuries, artists and architects have fascinated and puzzled observers by creating structures and spaces that look different from their true forms. Suffice it to say that Bruno Spaas Architectuur’s imaginative use of the WWI-era Dazzle camouflage for this project presents a modern take on this concept.