A Modernist pavilion in Belgium’s genteel, green, satellite municipality of Deurle has been redesigned into the new headquarters for Glenn Sestig Architects, including both the architect and his partner Bernard’s home and the studio’s main base.
The sensitive redesign involved the transformation of a generous concrete structure, originally created by Ivan Van Mossevelde for an art enthusiast’s private collection. The building, largely left unaltered, is a simply sculpted rectangular volume with rounded corners and an open-air courtyard at its heart.
The main spaces, both workspace and domestic areas, are all on the ground level. The brutalist nature of the structure was enhanced by discreet, modern window frames, the replacement of carpets, and the use of natural stone floors in soft shades of grey. This created a cleaner, distinctly minimalist interior.
The central courtyard has been fully redesigned and now features a composition of clean surfaces, a newly planted tree and a floating, concrete staircase that leads up to a roof terrace.
A reception area, called The Situation Room, right off the entrance, is strategically lit by long, thin skylights, and includes a striking 3m x 8m Sol LeWitt wall-drawing, created by the artist himself in 1972 for the original owners, Roger & Hilda Matthys.
