- Interior
In Knokke, on the fourth floor of an apartment building overlooking the sea, Vincent Van Duysen Architects has designed a restrained holiday home that places calm and clarity at its centre. At 175 square metres, DH Apartment is more than a second residence: it is a retreat for a family that consciously seeks out silence.
Vincent Van Duysen Architects, founded in 1989 in Antwerp, is known for its thorough integration of architecture, interior and product design. The studio’s projects are rooted in tactility, light, and a refined formal language. Both in Belgium and internationally, the team — now numbering over 40 staff members — works on residential projects, public buildings and furniture designs for brands such as Molteni&C, Sahco and Zara Home. The strength of its body of work lies in the balance between functionality, sustainability, and an aesthetic that distances itself from passing trends. 
For DH Apartment, the client explicitly requested a serene interior in which all functional elements are subtly concealed. Kitchen appliances and storage are fully integrated into custom-made volumes in light chestnut wood, lending the whole space a sense of visual calm. The layout of the apartment was designed to allow in as much natural light as possible and to maximise the sea view. A wooden core structure in the entrance hall guides circulation and separates the private area from the living space.
Kitchen appliances and storage are fully integrated into custom-made volumes in light chestnut wood.
The living area itself is organised around a natural stone kitchen island, like a monolith at the heart of the room. All functional components, including the sink, are discreetly hidden behind wooden panels. The light sandstone flooring and subtly textured plastered walls gently reference the Belgian coastline. The master bedroom and living space are located at the front; at the rear are two children’s bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. The interior is completed with carefully selected pieces: a custom-made sofa and coffee table by Vincent Van Duysen himself, a vintage desk and chair by Jean Prouvé, and vintage armchairs by Lina Bo Bardi. In the dining area, Mantis chairs by BassamFellows surround a long bench, beneath a pendant light by L&G Studio. The art on display is understated, including a sculpture by Takis and a painting by Bram Bogaert. 
DH Apartment is an exercise in focus and lightness. Every detail seems designed to be invisible — just present enough to serve its function without disrupting the visual rhythm. In this holiday home, comfort, material and composition are not used to impress, but to bring about tranquillity.
Photography by Piet-Albert Goethals
Text by Carolien Depamelaere