J&S HOUSE
Extroverted interstitial space as a link between garden and heritage
The commission involved reimagining a former flax trader’s residence, listed as a protected monument and included in the official inventory of architectural heritage. The existing main house is defined by its strongly introverted character, featuring a valuable inner courtyard, an eclectic street façade, and interior finishes executed by the renowned De Coene art workshop. The design challenge lay in connecting this historically layered context with a contemporary living programme tailored to the wishes of the residents—now the fourth generation of the same family to inhabit the home.
The design centres on the idea of the ‘outdoor room’: an extroverted interstitial space that links the heritage house, the workshop, and the garden. By removing several existing volumes, a new open zone emerges, offering spatial contrast to the enclosed nature of the historic interior. Within the contours of the newly introduced shed roof volume—subtly referencing the industrial typologies of the flax trade—a rotated square is carved out. Around this central void, new programme components are arranged: an open-plan kitchen, a sitting area, and several covered outdoor spaces, each with its own orientation and atmosphere. The existing brick perimeter, protected tilework, and characterful gates are retained, grounding the intervention in the original identity of the site.
The shed roof introduces a rhythm of openness and enclosure. Strategically placed skylights and generous window openings draw daylight deep into the plan and intensify the relationship between interior and exterior. Circulation, function and materiality align closely with the existing context: steel, glass, timber and reclaimed cement tiles form an honest, tactile material palette. The new addition is clearly articulated as a contemporary volume within the composition. A robust gutter spans the patio and drains into a water basin at the heart of the garden oasis—where even the family tortoise finds its way.
Technically, the project is a precision exercise. The entire new façade is constructed from a load-bearing, composite steel-and-glass system, developed in close collaboration with the contractor. The folded roof edge functions as a structural beam, supported by structurally bonded glass. This configuration enables maximum openness without compromising structural integrity. The technical detailing remains intentionally visible and actively contributes to the architectural identity of the space.
The architecture establishes a dialogue with the existing building fabric, while clearly asserting a contemporary expression. It strengthens the historic house and enriches it with a renewed spatial generosity. The result is a dwelling where heritage and domestic life no longer oppose one another, but engage in a layered and reciprocal exchange.
