Uyttenhove
From a generic suburban house to an open structure full of surprising corners, the Uyttenhove project reimagines the way we live together. Through a series of structural operations – a partial removal of the floor and insertion of new openings, the old, dark rooms have been unrecognizably converted into a central open space that constitutes a new focal point of the family life.
The old structural grid manifests itself in the rhythm of openings surrounding the double-height living space. This order is projected onto the opposite, load-bearing wall, where the new plaster frames the old wall finishings, turning each leftover patch into an abstract painting.
The kitchen sits in the front corner, welcoming the visitors. The harmonica window opens up the room to the terrace and street, inviting people in during the summer months.
Smaller sitting spaces overlook the large living room and enjoy the southern sun that penetrates deep into the house through a large window in the facade. The bedrooms are located on the top floor, gathered around a generous night hall that functions as a play zone.
An extraordinary roof shape resulted from the existing buildings’ morphology, the program’s spatial requirements and local zoning laws.
The façade openings follow a rigid grid and bring tranquility to the expressive volume with a pointed roof. The old brick facade is a souvenir of the existing home: a ready-made ornament on the newly finished volume.
