Semi-detached house for a couple with a passion for sports, travel and books

Architects: Studio k
Location: Antwerp, Belgium
Year: 2015
Photo courtesy: Studio k
Description:

“An existing semi-detached house nearby the city Centre (Belgium, Leuven) is at the customer’s request, a couple with a passion for sports, travel and books, extended to a bright and sunny home.

The difference in level of 3 meters between the street and the garden as well as the orientation of the facade focusing on the south was intended as an initiative for Architect Rob Mols to design an expansion that pulls the light all the way through the house. The patio situated in de middle of the home intensifies this element of light and creates an intimate space between the gym and the living room.

The expansion includes a timber frame construction in which columns, beams and finishing panels are visible. The facades are covered with thermo wood Rubio monocoat charcoal, dark finish. Along with black aluminium windows, this gives a beautiful contrast against the inside of the home.

Karlien Heremans, managing director of Studio K, responded to these contrasts to design both the interior and the garden. The various rooms throughout the house are a variety of intimate, dark atmosphere and a bright, open atmosphere. To establish the link between the several areas, existing materials and colours where reused. The customer had a specific demand to provide plenty of space for storage purposes and exhibit books and paintings together with creating different reading and leisure areas each with their own function and atmosphere.”