- Architecture
On the contrary. Vincent Van Duysen Architects was asked to renovate this yard with barns and farmhouse in Tielrode in East Flanders. Gradually in the design process, it was decided to build a new house and to immediately include the existing barns in the story. The result is breathtaking.
The barns, which according to tradition are often at right angles to the street, were used as storage space and garages. The typical cladding on the side wall was extended into the roof. Unnoticeable to the naked eye, but the roof boards are systematically wider the higher they lie on the 45° saddleback roof... to create the optical illusion that all strips are the same width. A magnificent idea! The Van Duysen Architects design feature is, among other things, the elimination of gutters and technical components of water and wind proofing.
"The Van Duysen Architects design feature is the elimination of gutters and technical components of water and wind proofing."
The house, which runs parallel to the street, was made slightly longer, so that the typical U-shape of the ancient square farm with the inner courtyard is created. The house has a volume of 1000 m3. Of course, this maximization of space for living and learning functions could only be achieved by accommodating the logistics area in the barns. From the kitchen, dining room and living space you look out unhindered over the green fields behind the house with an ideal north-south orientation. The kitchen top is made of polished concrete, just like the floor. In addition, we find a lot of stained woodwork. Only the washbasin, the cabinets and the floor in the bathroom are made of blue brick; again a wink to Belgian tradition.
All Images Courtesy of Vincent Van Duysen, Photography by ©Koen Van Damme