Brecht & Nele House by Atelier Vens Vanbelle: A Green Urban Oasis in Ghent

Located near the former harbor of Ghent, Belgium, the Brecht & Nele House by Atelier Vens Vanbelle is a striking example of how thoughtful architecture can transform an ordinary urban dwelling into a vibrant, light-filled sanctuary. Designed in 2021 for a couple and their three teenage children, the 224 m² home balances openness to the neighborhood with privacy and a strong connection to nature.

Integrating Greenery into Everyday Living

The design was inspired by the homeowner’s passion for plants and greenery. This vision is realized through a lush integration of indoor plants, garden views, and a greenhouse-like rear extension. The result is a home where nature flows seamlessly into the living environment, blurring boundaries between interior and exterior.

Facing the Queen Astrid Park, the house embraces its surroundings with a double rear façade that opens toward the landscape. This layered construction not only reduces overheating from direct sunlight but also frames garden and park views while enhancing privacy. The covered in-between zone creates a sheltered outdoor passage and greenhouse, reinforcing the sense of a private retreat immersed in greenery.

Redefining Spatial Experience

The transformation of the ground floor into a bel étage (raised floor) was a key design decision. By elevating the kitchen level by half a meter, the architects created a sunlit laundry in the former basement while ensuring garden and street views remain unobstructed yet protected from curious passersby. This subtle shift in height redefines the spatial rhythm of the house and enhances its relationship with both the street and garden.

The home also introduces fluid connections between spaces, with a central void acting as a vertical garden and light well. Filled with plants and crossed by an open wooden staircase, the void becomes a lively heart of the home. Interior windows, balconies, and mezzanines weave visual and acoustic connections across levels, ensuring openness while maintaining intimacy.

A Home for Family Life and Interaction

Designed for a growing family, the house prioritizes both shared living and individual independence. A multifunctional mezzanine serves as a chill-out zone for the children, allowing them to engage in various activities while remaining connected to the main living spaces. The loft extension in the rear volume further enhances spatial playfulness with its circular floor opening bordered by a paracord net balustrade, emphasizing organic openness and playful design.

Throughout the house, Mediterranean alley-like qualities emerge through open staircases, balconies, and natural light filtering across the interior. This creates a balance between airy expansiveness and grounded coziness, turning the home into a cocoon of tranquility without losing its connection to the street and community.

Architecture that Balances Privacy and Connection

What makes the Brecht & Nele House truly unique is its balance between social openness and personal retreat. The house engages with neighbors and street life through its elevated design, while offering the residents a protected, plant-filled interior world. It is at once a social home, a family retreat, and an architectural statement—showcasing how residential architecture in dense urban settings can prioritize greenery, light, and connectivity.