Hus JC / Bakermat studio for architecture
Text description provided by the architects. The ground floor of this typical Flemish terraced house consists of an entrance hall and garage with an adjacent room set up as an artist’s studio. The house had a typical extension with a kitchen, bathroom and toilet. The deteriorated condition of this narrow extension became a strong argument for its demolition. Instead, a new extension over the entire width of the main volume provides space for a dining room and kitchen. The artistic residents wanted a strong graphic design for the extension. Their dream was an extension with a reflection of their personality: colorful, graphic, dynamic and daring.
To replace the articulated lift gate in the front facade, a large window with a bench facing the street is designed as a welcoming gesture to neighbors and passers-by. This element expresses the desire of the artistic residents to connect with the environment by displaying their work and provoking an interaction. The wooden bench became a hotspot for the locals, where they could have a chat and a cup of coffee together.
The new extension is connected through a new opening in the rear facade of the main building. The artist’s studio has become a living area in an open space with a new kitchen and dining area. The interior in the hallway has been optimized by adding a toilet and a compact storage room that also has access to the basement.
The extension spans the entire width of the plot. The large windows draw in daylight and connect the garden with the house. The facade results in an atypical graphic statement by combining the gold metallic finish of the windows with the irregular pattern of the panels in an off-white and burgundy color. By adding a continuous, graphic tile pattern above the ground floor, the story is visually enhanced.
The triangular shapes are uniquely derived from the context of the site. By incorporating timber into a steel structure, the extension volume was realised. The form was established by the double-height extension on one side and a small garden wall on the other. The difference in height worked to create a mezzanine level accessible from the hall but very well connected to the ground floor kitchen and dining area.
The roof of the extension has two large skylights that flood the house with natural light. By extending the roof as a small canopy, the garden becomes more accessible and connected to the house, while also providing shade and shelter.
