A monolithic and modernist house clad in Grandina limestone near Ghent creates a tranquil atmosphere
The house’s stone-clad façades and roofs create a unified look in a bold minimalist take on the local vernacular. A drive through the Flemish countryside makes a couple of things very clear. Firstly, the term ‘countryside’ is a bit of a stretch; rapid urbanisation in many formerly rural areas of Flanders has resulted in an increasing division of land into parcels. Secondly, despite the first-glance diversity in residential structures, a definite vernacular regularity soon becomes clear.
During the half-hour drive from Ghent to the small village where the house is located, the landscape morphs from bustling city to ribbon development, and finally into stretches of fields, farms and detached houses interspersed among cobblestone streets. In these picturesque environs, Van Duysen’s tectonic composition of natural white stone appears confidently, yet unobtrusively by the roadside, peeking over a relatively low sliding gate.
As a result, the residence feels airy – a perfect place for rest. When it comes to the interior, that tranquil feel is maintained through the architect’s signature minimal aesthetic. ‘The owners don’t have the need to fill their walls with art,’ says Van Duysen. ‘They prefer a harmonious blank canvas inside as well as out.’
Made of solid black walnut, these sculptural pieces are a tribute to George Nakashima, the innovative 20th-century Japanese-American furniture maker. ‘The craftsmanship of those pieces is of huge importance – they have a pristine finish,’ says Van Duysen.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
One in three public leisure centres in England to remain shut as funds dry upFuture of many council-owned sites hangs in balance as covid lockdown tips finances into red
Read more »
These are the very best running shoes for women (and how to find the best running trainers for you, according to an expert)Whether you're a seasoned runner or are just getting out and about to have an hour's walk in the fresh air, you're going to need th right shoes for the job.
Read more »
Cosmo the Frankenbull will produce 75% male offspringThe bull, called Cosmo, was born in April at University of California Davis and weighed around 110 pounds and is believed to be perfectly healthy.
Read more »
Cosmo the Frankenbull will produce 75% male offspringThe bull, called Cosmo, was born in April at University of California Davis and weighed around 110 pounds and is believed to be perfectly healthy.
Read more »
Europe on the brink of a second wave?Berlin's health minister Dilek Kalayci said today that those coming back from high-risk countries should be tested and those returning from non-risk countries will also have the option.
Read more »
How female leaders outperformed men during the pandemicData reveals how female-led countries performed better than male-led countries during the Covid-19 crisis
Read more »