Tomas & Katrien is a contemporary residence that draws inspiration from nineteenth-century industrial buildings and traditional workshops. Designed as a compact, understated volume, the house uses brickwork, large windows and exposed structural elements to establish a connection with its architectural surroundings.
The exterior features characterful brickwork arranged in layered patterns reminiscent of historic industrial construction. Rainwater downpipes are incorporated as architectural elements, reinforcing the building's functional aesthetic.
The street-facing façade has no windows, creating a largely uninterrupted brick surface. In contrast, generous openings on the remaining elevations bring daylight into the interior and connect the living spaces with the garden.
Compact planning and natural light
The building's simple, compact footprint preserves a substantial portion of the plot for outdoor use. Rather than extending the built volume, the design maximises the available interior space through an unconventional floor plan. A 45-degree shift in the layout introduces diagonal relationships between rooms. A large central planter separates the living area from the surrounding spaces, while a slightly elevated seating area connects to the staircase.
Above, a diamond-shaped void incorporates skylights that introduce daylight into the centre of the house. Together with the large exterior windows, these openings reduce dependence on artificial lighting during daylight hours.
The upper floor accommodates four similarly sized bedrooms finished in timber veneer. A carpeted multipurpose area occupies the remaining space, providing flexibility for different domestic activities.
Material durability and continuity
The interior continues the industrial material palette through exposed brick walls, clay floor tiles, steel profiles and timber finishes. These materials establish continuity between the building's exterior and interior while prioritising robust surfaces suited to long-term residential use.
At the rear, a wrought-iron structure supports transparent corrugated roofing, creating a sheltered terrace. A separate brick annexe accommodates bicycle storage, garden equipment and additional covered outdoor space. The repeated use of brick, steel and translucent roofing connects the different structures visually and functionally.
Renewable energy and water management
The residence incorporates several systems intended to reduce dependence on conventional energy sources. A heat pump provides an alternative to fossil-fuel-based heating, while solar panels contribute renewable electricity generation. Water management measures form part of the broader environmental strategy, although their specific capacities and configurations have not been detailed. The compact building volume also limits the overall construction footprint while preserving more garden space.
