belgian thatched-roof house gets a sleek pavilion extension by mieke van herck architects

residence EB by Mieke Van Herck architects in belgium 

In a quiet neighborhood of ‘s-Gravenwezel in Belgium, local practice Mieke Van Herck architects renovated an existing thatched-roof country house in a continuous effort to seek harmony between modern and rural architecture. Dubbed Residence EB, the abstracted rural dwelling features a remarkably sleek black pavilion that offers space for the kitchen on a floating platform. The ground floor living spaces were also maximized and finished with natural materials such as marble and Pietra dei Medici natural stone and refined veneers. Two other notable features are the reception area with ultra-large sitting space and the sober workspace framed in a bay window, reminding current owners of the original Belgian mansion.

all images © Annick Vernimmen

abstracting the rural residence eb into a modern living space

Mieke Van Herck architects (see more here) complemented the renovation of Residence EB with a pavilion that accommodates the kitchen on a floating platform. The modern design of the architectural extension blends perfectly with the rural architecture thanks to the facade cladding boasting black afrormosia planking. Furthermore, the new volume at the rear of the house flows into a covered terrace with a built-in barbecue. In line with Mieke Van Herck architects’ signature, the view of the outdoor environment is omnipresent and always nearby. An inventive detail that nicely illustrates this synergy is one of the windows in the kitchen. That window extends from ceiling to floor and is flanked inside by a bespoke cupboard with incisions, allowing daylight and greenery to reach the sheltered interior subtly.

Residence EB by Mieke Van Herck Architects

Moving to the entrance hall of Residence EB, the practice reimagined it with a modern-countryside upgrade, bringing ‘Schwung’ to the home with its smooth curves. Upstairs, the main bedroom reads like a hotel suite, and the family’s daughter was given a separate leisure area where friends always feel welcome. ‘She also feels at home in this dream home that her parents purchased as a coup de foudre, and which after the renovation feels even more like a signature home for life and much longer,’ shares the team at Mieke Van Herck architects . 

bringing a modern pavilion extension to the rural thatched-roof country house

private pool area

the ground floor living space was also modernized and maximized

combining marble, wood, and refined veneers

using natural materials and a neutral color palette

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staircase

 

 

pavilion clad in black afrormosia planking

 

 

project info:

name: Residence EB 

location: ‘s-Gravenwezel, Belgium

architect: Mieke Van Herck architects | @miekevanherckarchitects

photographer: Annick Vernimmen | @annick_vernimmen_photography

completion date: December 2022