When a spacious barn with an adjacent dwelling in an orchard became vacant, Koen and Virginie saw their opportunity to create their ideal living and working space. After extensive renovation and a new construction project, the inhabitants, passionate about greenery, can now say they have found their place.
The owner is a passionate garden and landscape architect. The barn is located in an orchard with 140 fruit trees. The barn itself had a very archetypal shape: one level with a steeply sloping gabled roof. We were particularly drawn to its understated character, and it was a feeling we wanted to preserve during the renovation. The original barn was converted into an office, and the adjacent small house was demolished. In its place, a new replacement building was constructed next to the office, forming a residential courtyard. The result is a project that emphasizes unity between landscape, architecture, and interior, with a keen eye for detail.
Upon entering the courtyard along the tall poplar trees, one immediately sees the two communicating volumes carefully integrated into the garden with orchard. Here, simplicity is clearly prioritized, allowing the surroundings to take center stage. The classic volumetric design of the original farmhouse – one floor and a gabled roof – was retained for the new residence as well. One noticeable feature is that the house is about fifty centimeters below ground level. This has several advantages: it provides space for a second floor under the roof, with three bedrooms and a bathroom, and it allows us to look beneath the canopies of the fruit trees, into the landscape. In the summer, these canopies are lush and impenetrable. The connection with nature is palpable, which was also an explicit wish of the owner.
The design is authentic, as is the choice of materials for the exterior shell. Both the renovated barn and the new residence were constructed using reclaimed bricks and Boomse roof tiles. Harmonizing the two buildings brings a sense of tranquility. The windows are identical throughout, down to the dimensions. To maintain this calm feeling, the roof is kept as closed as possible. Only at the back of the new building are there a number of skylights. To bring in light on the upper floor, an internal window in the hallway was used. The overall design is timeless and sustainable. The residence is furnished in a rather minimalist style, while the barn with our office has a more authentic feel, with whitewashed walls and exposed wooden beams.
The simplicity of the rectangular residence is playfully broken up by working with varying levels. For example, the seating area and kitchen are lower than the dining room. A nice additional feature of these levels is that we can use the window sills as benches in both the living room and the kitchen. The interior spaces are spacious and bright. This experience is even more intense in the dining and living area, as the spaces extend up to the ridge. The floor with the office, children's bedrooms, and bathroom only covers a portion of the length.
