Wim Heylen Architect

House SC

House SC
© Wim Heylen

House SC 

Wim Heylen Architect

ARCHITECTS
Wim Heylen

ARCHITECT
Wim Heylen

STABILITY ENGINEER
Lime engineering

MANUFACTURERS
RENSON, Wienerberger, Heylen Ceramics, R.A.P. Industries

ENERGY CONSULTANT
EMS

PHOTOGRAPHS
Wim Heylen

AREA
165 m²

YEAR
2022

LOCATION
Ghent, Belgium

CATEGORY
Residential Architecture, Houses

REIMAGINING A SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE: A THREE-STEP TRANSITION

Starting this architectural project, our primary aim was to breathe fresh life into a semi-detached house.

House SC
© Wim Heylen
House SC
© Wim Heylen

Our vision was to accomplish this transformation with minimal intervention, preserving the house's original volumes, including the outbuilding.

Initiating our design process, we placed our primary emphasis on the heart of the home —the kitchen—where updates were imperative to align it with contemporary living.

The existing, outdated, and confined kitchen annex necessitated replacement.

House SC
© Wim Heylen
House SC
© Wim Heylen
House SC
© Wim Heylen

The new annex design drew inspiration from the surrounding outdoor spaces. While ensuring easy access to the repurposed outbuilding and the rear garden with its prominent tree, it established a seamless connection between the interior and exterior.

This design allowed for a gradual transition, manifested as three distinct steps in the layout.

Addressing a relic of a previous remodeling, the window in the corner of the existing volume required replacement.

House SC
© Wim Heylen
House SC
© Wim Heylen

Opting for design consistency, we chose to modernize this window and replicate it twice more for the new addition. The introduction of afzelia wood windows added both warmth and character to the overall design.

To mitigate the sun's intensity, we introduced a canopy on the southern and western sides of the house. The elegant curvature of the design imbued a sense of sophistication.

House SC
© Wim Heylen
House SC
© Wim Heylen

The canopy is supported by three prominent columns at each corner of the layout. This repetition of columns established an immediate connection between the old and the new sections.

Clad with white glazed tiles, these elements not only modernized the aesthetic but also created a clear contrast with the existing materials.

House SC
© Wim Heylen
House SC
© Wim Heylen

Furthermore, they reflected sunlight, enhancing the overall ambiance. Residents could now bask in the warmth of the evening sun while seated on the bench beneath the central window.

Within the house, our design approach was rooted in the pursuit of continuity. The kitchen cabinets seamlessly extended, forging a connection between the original and newly integrated sections of the house.

This harmonious blend of kitchen and living space resulted in a unified and cohesive interior. Expanding beyond the kitchen space, our transformation project reached up to the upper levels.

House SC
© Wim Heylen
House SC
© Wim Heylen

A new staircase led to the attic, where the addition of a dormer transformed it into a comfortable bedroom.

On the first floor, we introduced new sanitary facilities, including a bathroom and a conveniently located toilet. 

In the circulation areas, the new walls were curved to enhance the flow of natural light, creating an atmosphere of spaciousness and airiness.

House SC
© Wim Heylen
House SC
© Wim Heylen
House SC
© Wim Heylen

These curved elements subtly echoed the design motif of the exterior canopy, unifying the interior and exterior aesthetics.


House SC
© Wim Heylen
House SC
© Wim Heylen
House SC
© Wim Heylen
House SC
© Wim Heylen
House SC
© Wim Heylen


House SC
Ground Floor Plan
House SC
1st Floor Plan
House SC
2nd Floor Plan


House SC
Schema

Wim Heylen Architect
T +32 474 428737
Wim Heylen Architect
Galnootlaan 19, 9032 Gent, Belgium