Dune House by OYO: A Regenerative Coastal Retreat Embedded in the Belgian Dunes

Dune House by OYO Architects is a 120 m² sustainable coastal retreat located in the protected dune landscape of Oostduinkerke, Koksijde, Belgium. Designed by the Ghent- and Barcelona-based studio: led by Ferran Massip, Nigel Jooren, Eddy Soete, Veroniek Vanhaecke, and Lies Willaert, the project reimagines the remains of a World War II, damaged dwelling as a contemporary, nature-integrated home rooted in environmental stewardship.

Reviving History Through Regenerative Architecture

The original house, partially destroyed during the war, survived as a buried fragment beneath layers of sand. OYO embraced this historical footprint, integrating the existing structure with new wooden extensions to create a refined, honest architectural narrative. The result is a home that feels both grounded in history and seamlessly embedded in the natural topography of the dunes.

By preserving and transforming the remnants of the past, the architects reinforce a regenerative approach: where architecture restores, adapts, and harmonizes rather than dominates.

Nature-Integrated Materiality and Lightness

Material choices play a crucial role in the project’s sensory experience. The extensive use of sustainable wood, both inside and out, reinforces the home’s connection to the surrounding dune ecosystem. Warm timber surfaces, interior vegetation, and a tranquil reflecting pool create a soothing, biophilic interior atmosphere.

A subtle palette of stained wood planks replaces the decaying façade panels, blending the building into the muted colors of the sandy terrain and coastal vegetation. The architecture embodies restraint and softness, allowing the environment to remain the main protagonist.

Program Organization for Comfort and Privacy

Dune House is strategically embedded across two levels, yet it maintains the modest appearance of a compact, single-volume structure.

• Upper level: A bright, open living space with expansive views, connected directly to the landscape through a sheltered terrace beneath a minimalist canopy.
• Lower level: Private bedrooms set within the dunes, offering natural coolness in summer and complete seclusion from the public realm.

This thoughtful arrangement enhances the residents’ comfort while ensuring the house remains visually unobtrusive within the fragile landscape.

Sustainable Technology as a Quiet Backbone

Sustainability is not an add-on but a core principle of the house’s design. OYO integrates advanced, low-impact technologies throughout the project, including:

• Groundwater heat pump for efficient heating
• Solar-powered boiler system
• Geothermal cooling for natural temperature regulation
• Energy-efficient pool heating integrated into walls and floor

These features enable year-round comfort while minimizing operational energy use. The house becomes an ecological oasis, proof that high-quality living and environmental responsibility can coexist seamlessly.

All photographs are works of ​Karen Van der Biest