House HW

Client: H-W
Location: Bonheiden
Realization: 2014 – 2015
Design team: David Driesen, Tom Verschueren, Ines Verhaegen
Photography: Bart Gosselin


The Flemish landscape is characterized by countless homes that are not permitted by zoning regulations. These are houses in the countryside that are situated in agricultural or wooded area due to discontinued agricultural activity.

House HW is such a house located at the end of a dead-end dirt road in the middle of meadows. The existing house was built in the 60s and consisted of two floors. The house was surrounded by greenhouses and extensions. By removing the additions, the existing building is converted into a cube and forms the core of the renovation.

The purpose of the renovation was to improve the living and housing quality based on the qualities of the place: living in the countryside with a wide view on the surroundings.

The existing building is bordered by a floating platform. A white steel frame creates and defines the indoor and outdoor spaces. Because of the positioning of the ‘canvasses’, terraces and patios are created that maximize the experience of living in the countryside.

The purpose of the renovation was to improve the living and housing quality based on the qualities of the place: living in the countryside with a wide view on the surroundings.

The existing building is bordered by a floating platform. A white steel frame creates and defines the indoor and outdoor spaces. Because of the positioning of the ‘canvasses’, terraces and patios are created that maximize the experience of living in the countryside.