And that is exactly what the practice has done, on an unpromising site in a Brussels suburb. It’s not so easy to tell where the S House begins, surrounded as it is by lush landscaping, its sinuous form tucked into the side of a hill. Following the lines of ancient trees and newer native planting, the approach to the property belies its presence, but the driveway soon swings out to reveal the scope of the house, natural pool, and garden. An entranceway opens onto a planted sedum roof, looking towards the same rolling verdure that inspired the first landscape painters of the Low Countries.
The visceral contrast between the copious planting and stark, raw concrete of the building is the main material dialogue set up by the design. Entering a cool, subdued corridor with its monotone grey palette, the senses are calmed and retuned to appreciate the subtle textures in the shuttered concrete surface and oozy, exposed mortar: its cool, mineral scent; the slight and beautiful variations in tone. Thus calmed, the floor plan swings out again, revealing the first of the convivial open spaces within what is ultimately a family home.
Denne historien er fra November 2019-utgaven av Wallpaper.
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Denne historien er fra November 2019-utgaven av Wallpaper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
POLE POSITION
A compact Melbourne house with a small footprint is big on efficiency and experimentation
URBAN OASIS
At an art-filled Mexico City residence, New York designer Giancarlo Valle has put his own spin on the country's traditional craft heritage
WARM FRONT
Designer Clive Lonstein elevates his carefully curated Manhattan home with rich textures and fabrics
BALCONY SCENE
A Brazilian island hotel offers a unique approach to the alfresco experience
ENSEMBLE CAST
How architect Anne Holtrop is leaving his mark on the Middle East
Survival mode
A new show looks at preparing for a post-apocalyptic landscape (and other catastrophes)
FLASK FORCE
A limited-edition perfume collaboration between two Spanish craft masters says it with flowers
BLOOM SERVICE
A flower-shaped brutalist beauty in Geneva gets a refresh
SECOND NATURE
A remodelled museum in Lisbon, by Kengo Kuma & Associates, meshes Japanese and Portuguese influences to create a space that sits in harmony with its surroundings
Guiding light
Designer Joe Armitage follows his grandfather's footsteps in India, reissuing his elegant midcentury lamp and creating a new chandelier for Nilufar Gallery