For this idiosyncratic renovationand extension of a classic Flemish townhouse at the outskirts of Ghent, the original building was wrapped in a new envelope, delineating a new volume.

The unique position of the building, at the end of a row of houses, provides the dwelling with three different façades. The front is designed as an iteration of the adjacent classical rhythm in white stucco. In contrast, the lateral facade refers to the blank facade of the old building andis clad in wood.Characterized by a series of seemingly randomly arranged windows if forms a counterpiece for the street.

Rather than extending the building back into the garden, the volume was widened, allowing for a new lateral entrance. The extension is conceived as an independent town house. The ground floor is reserved for a garage, the entry hall and an office opening up to the harmoniously designed stone garden. The full width and depth of the first floor is occupied by the living room and flanked by a spacious terrace. The second floor houses the bedrooms and the top floor is conceived as a kind of “crow's nest”. It’s a versatile space that could serve as a workshop space, guestroom or private sanctuary containing a small outside space, looking over the nearby river and the city.

The design plays into the concept of “sustainable living”. For now, this means a design for lifelong living, indicating complete wheelchair accessibility, adjustable sanitation and room for an elevator. In the long run, this translates into a phase-oriented building that allows new annexations and divisions within.