An eco-friendly renovation of the 'Under the Willow Tree' house

Eco-friendly choices

The renovation commissioned from Objekt Architecten maintains the structure of the 1904 house as much as possible to preserve the character of the facades as much as possible. The traditional Flemish rear extension was replaced by a new structure that fits into its shell as if it were a lipstick. The new volume was covered with black tiles on both the facade and roof. The design of the house 'Under the Willow Tree' includes four bedrooms, a studio for the owner, a professional potter, an open-plan eat-in kitchen, and the fluid connection between garden and house

Modern design integration

When choosing materials, the ecological aspect was extremely important. Together with the construction company PUUR-Bouwen & Giant Projects, various options were discussed, and among the many bioecological possibilities, the choice fell on hemp lime as an insulation material in the walls and cellulose flakes as roof insulation. Inside, the walls are finished with clay plaster and, for the bathroom, a water-repellent lime plaster was chosen; the floors are made of wood and are left exposed. The result is a warm atmosphere and a healthy indoor environment

Comfort and efficiency

The woodwork for the exterior, installed by Mondian of Zonhove, is made in Austria. On the outside, the windows have a deep black aluminum finish that matches the cladding; inside, the wood finish bonds with the clay plaster. Triple glazing, a heat pump and a D-type ventilation system with heat recovery ensure maximum climate efficiency in the house

Natural landscape integration

The 4,500-square-meter plot on which the house 'Under the Willow Tree' stands has not been paved unnecessarily. The parking spaces, for example, have gravel paving and the stairs leading to the front door and study seem to float on the bee-friendly garden; the rest has been kept in its natural state and will evolve with the family. In the meantime, the client has already installed an outdoor pool and a small orchard has been created