House N-DP

House N-DP – anintriguing house that projects an introverted openness

This house along the Leuvense Vaart in Mechelen neverceases to fascinate. A seemingly random play of asymmetrical concrete canopiesopens and closes the façade, creating a pleasing impression of introvertedopenness.

A house with aconsistent story

The dynamics created by the angled concrete canopiesand the sophisticated positioning of the triangular storeys was an aestheticnecessity, designed in response to the environment in which the house wasbuilt. In this case, a narrow, deep plot with close proximity to neighbours,but also with an expansive view of the canal and the fields behind it. Theconcept of the house is the result of a creative process that takes all theseparameters into account in a single, consistent story.

Intriguingcontrasts

Each storey is set back in relation to the previousone and has been superimposed at a slightly shifted angle, with the intentionof creating privacy and a sense of security for the residents. This fan-likemovement inward also creates a playful effect that counters the monolithicappearance of the nine-metre-high building. At the same time, the fan shape isintended to cast as little shadow as possible on the neighbours. The breachesin the concrete walls in turn create exciting openings to the garden and thewater. While the concrete construction is no less imposing than the ships thatslowly pass by on the canal, the openings give the whole a human scale.

Warm welcome

The concrete from which the house is built also formsthe supporting structure. This made it possible for the opening movement of thefacades to be continued in the interior.

The lowest concrete wedge serves as a carport andhides the entrance of the house from the view of passers-by. However, anyonewho rings the bell will instantly feel welcome thanks to the large, pivotingdoor and the inviting concrete entrance step. The stairs, together with acloakroom and laundry room, are located in the concrete core of the house andlead to the living areas that nestle around the central part on the first floorin a single, flowing movement. The kitchen is bathed in the morning sun, whilethe living room with adjoining terrace catches the last rays of the sun. Thebedrooms in the top storey are primarily functional and all open onto abeautiful terrace.

Sheltered and openat the same time

The furniture in the house was custom designed,including the storage units and fireplace wall. The special symbiosis betweensecure enclosure and openness also comes into its own in the interior. Afeeling that is enhanced by a balanced use of understated materials,alternating the warm texture of clay plaster on walls and ceilings with the rawconcrete and wooden finishing that are also used in the external facades.

The tranquil material palette of the house has beencarried over into the smallest details. For the balustrades, we deliberatelydid not work with modern glass, but with galvanized steel. This aligns theenclosure and the breaches in the facade with the human scale of the residents,in an otherwise imposing building. The steel of the balustrades is reflected inthe external staircase and gate, which were specially designed for this house.A nice detail is that in this gate, just like in the facade of the house,recesses have been applied that make the wheels of the gate visible and give ita surprising touch.

Summary

The concept for this house evolved during the creativeprocess into a story that in a single gesture meets all parameters of theresidents and the environment, so that it fits seamlessly into its context.

Private House . 2012 - 2019
Location . Mechelen, Belgium
Site Area . 2442 m²
Built Area . 474 m²
Status . Finished

Images . GBA
Photography . Filip Dujardin
Photography model . Dennis De Smet

GRAUX & BAEYENS architecten
Désiré Fiévéstraat 34 . 9000 Gent (Belgium)

House N-DP

House N-DP – anintriguing house that projects an introverted openness

This house along the Leuvense Vaart in Mechelen neverceases to fascinate. A seemingly random play of asymmetrical concrete canopiesopens and closes the façade, creating a pleasing impression of introvertedopenness.

A house with aconsistent story

The dynamics created by the angled concrete canopiesand the sophisticated positioning of the triangular storeys was an aestheticnecessity, designed in response to the environment in which the house wasbuilt. In this case, a narrow, deep plot with close proximity to neighbours,but also with an expansive view of the canal and the fields behind it. Theconcept of the house is the result of a creative process that takes all theseparameters into account in a single, consistent story.

Intriguingcontrasts

Each storey is set back in relation to the previousone and has been superimposed at a slightly shifted angle, with the intentionof creating privacy and a sense of security for the residents. This fan-likemovement inward also creates a playful effect that counters the monolithicappearance of the nine-metre-high building. At the same time, the fan shape isintended to cast as little shadow as possible on the neighbours. The breachesin the concrete walls in turn create exciting openings to the garden and thewater. While the concrete construction is no less imposing than the ships thatslowly pass by on the canal, the openings give the whole a human scale.

Warm welcome

The concrete from which the house is built also formsthe supporting structure. This made it possible for the opening movement of thefacades to be continued in the interior.

The lowest concrete wedge serves as a carport andhides the entrance of the house from the view of passers-by. However, anyonewho rings the bell will instantly feel welcome thanks to the large, pivotingdoor and the inviting concrete entrance step. The stairs, together with acloakroom and laundry room, are located in the concrete core of the house andlead to the living areas that nestle around the central part on the first floorin a single, flowing movement. The kitchen is bathed in the morning sun, whilethe living room with adjoining terrace catches the last rays of the sun. Thebedrooms in the top storey are primarily functional and all open onto abeautiful terrace.

Sheltered and openat the same time

The furniture in the house was custom designed,including the storage units and fireplace wall. The special symbiosis betweensecure enclosure and openness also comes into its own in the interior. Afeeling that is enhanced by a balanced use of understated materials,alternating the warm texture of clay plaster on walls and ceilings with the rawconcrete and wooden finishing that are also used in the external facades.

The tranquil material palette of the house has beencarried over into the smallest details. For the balustrades, we deliberatelydid not work with modern glass, but with galvanized steel. This aligns theenclosure and the breaches in the facade with the human scale of the residents,in an otherwise imposing building. The steel of the balustrades is reflected inthe external staircase and gate, which were specially designed for this house.A nice detail is that in this gate, just like in the facade of the house,recesses have been applied that make the wheels of the gate visible and give ita surprising touch.

Summary

The concept for this house evolved during the creativeprocess into a story that in a single gesture meets all parameters of theresidents and the environment, so that it fits seamlessly into its context.

Private House . 2012 - 2019
Location . Mechelen, Belgium
Site Area . 2442 m²
Built Area . 474 m²
Status . Finished

Images . GBA
Photography . Filip Dujardin
Photography model . Dennis De Smet

GRAUX & BAEYENS architecten
Désiré Fiévéstraat 34 . 9000 Gent (Belgium)