This generous, suburban villa in the outskirts of Antwerp draws on the principles of the International Style. Inspired in particular by the work of Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, the house features a composition of low, linear volumes, straight lines and seemingly floating cantilevers, while juxtaposing solid blocks and transparent elements.
The monumentality of Louis Khan’s work was also a key influence. The house feels sculptural and dramatic; yet stepping inside it easily translates to the human scale.
The design is made of bricks, referencing the local vernacular, and traditional building materials and techniques – at the same time the use of a slim, grey, artisanal brick, designed by Peter Zumthor, gives the house a strong, unmistakably contemporary aesthetic. The windows are another significant feature in the design, appearing to be carved out of the sturdy masonry volumes and set deep in the thick walls.
Their angled recesses were especially calculated to direct sunlight and views, both bathing the interior in natural light and orientating the eye towards the surrounding, green landscape.
