Deep in the verdant forests around Sint Martens Latem, a contemporary house has already camouflaged into its surroundings, expressing an aura of another era like an old soul. It seems as if the density of nature has impressed itself into the texture of its reclaimed brick walls and the forest flows up to its edges, climbing into the architecture’s own topography.
The iconic building was a starting point for architects Decancq Vercruysse when designing this house for a family who wanted to feel closer to nature and immerse themselves in the peaceful and thought-provoking atmosphere of the forest. It was therefore important to take cues from the forest itself, sensing and responding to its energy.
The house sits on a raised clearing, emerging and rising from the ground towards the light. One side reflects the enticing solidity of the forest, and the other, oriented south-west, opens up to the clearing with canopies sheltering outdoor living spaces and a swimming pool.
Materials echo the earthy colours of the forest itself. The textured brown bricks, reclaimed from an old water reserve after filtering water for more than 200 years, were applied with a recessed mortar, casting a shadow gap to create a sculptural, dimensional effect.
