Residence VDB / Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects

Residence VDB / Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects - Table, ChairResidence VDB / Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects - CourtyardResidence VDB / Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects - FacadeResidence VDB / Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects - Image 5 of 72Residence VDB / Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects - More Images+ 67

Sint-Martens-Latem, Belgium
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  809
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2016
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Tim Van de Velde
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Fritz Hansen, BassamFellows, Carl Hansen, Daphine Terra / Lumina, Enjoy Concrete, Flag Halyard, Hans J. Wegner, Hatta, Keller, LUMİNA, Living Divani, Lumina srl, MIYAZAKI, Miyazaki / Hatta, PK22 leather, Vola
Residence VDB / Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects - Facade
© Tim Van de Velde

Text description provided by the architects. The river Leie, that runs through the historic city Ghent is well known for its leisure boating. A bit further downstream from the city centre of Ghent, many boats reduce throttle or come to a full stop to gaze upon a residence, quite different from the other houses along the river. Amidst a golf terrain like garden lies a sculptural concrete bachelor pad, grafted on the lifestyle of its owner.

Residence VDB / Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects - Courtyard
© Tim Van de Velde

The view from the river shows a long floating horizontal concrete framework that defines the ground floor, inside as well as outside. The ground floor holds all day functions, the pool area, and pool house. A second smaller concrete volume contains the master bed & bath room and two extra bed / bath rooms. A private terrace on the roof, linked only to the master bedroom, has a lowered floor towards the top of the volume, creating a private outside space with marvellous views towards the river and the garden.

Residence VDB / Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects - Facade
© Tim Van de Velde
Ground Plan
Residence VDB / Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects - Table, Chair
© Tim Van de Velde

The entire ground floor area is strongly directed towards the river. Most parts of the facade are completely glazed to allow as much visibility with the garden and river as possible. To allow more privacy, the wooden box like volume that holds the pool house, can be extended with sliding panels, to completely hide the pool area from the passing boats on the river. The front façade towards the street is partially closed by a wooden plane, holding 2 entrance doors and a gate towards the car elevator. An inclined plane allows the entrance on the elevated concrete slab of the framework. The night quarters on the first level are completely opened up towards the garden, and closed off by concrete walls towards the street and river. Each bedroom has a private terrace.

Residence VDB / Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects - Courtyard
© Tim Van de Velde
Residence VDB / Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects - Image 22 of 72
© Tim Van de Velde

Nightly activities reside underground. Descending the stairs along the glazed front façade, the bright ground floor becomes dark & cosy in the cave. Wood and black Moroccan tadelakt set the tone. The focus in the basement lies on the big window behind the bar, revealing the inside of the pool. The bar behind the pool window, a DJ booth, a glazed wine cabinet, the long lounge benches, the area for exclusive cars, a built in cigar cabinet, are the embodiment of an exclusive underground club.

Residence VDB / Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects - Table, Chair
© Tim Van de Velde
Basement Plan
Residence VDB / Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects - Image 5 of 72
© Tim Van de Velde

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Project location

Address:Sint-Martens-Latem, Belgium

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Residence VDB / Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects" 06 Feb 2017. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/803928/residence-vdb-govaert-and-vanhoutte-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

© Tim Van de Velde

VDB公馆 / Govaert & Vanhoutte Architects

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