House hkZ by BLAF Architecten – A Sustainable Belgian Residence Merging Architecture and Landscape

House hkZ, designed by BLAF Architecten, is a striking example of contemporary residential architecture in Zoersel, Belgium. Completed in 2020, this 200 m² family home reflects BLAF’s commitment to sustainable construction, circular design, and energy-efficient housing. Captured through the lens of photographer Stijn Bollaert, the house presents a seamless dialogue between concrete structures, transparent facades, and the lush green landscape.

Architectural Concept and Design Philosophy

BLAF Architecten’s design approach for House hkZ transcends conventional sustainability measures. The architects emphasize integrated spatial planning, affordability, and adaptability. The home’s design concept originates from BLAF’s ongoing experimentation with the “genetic” building block of modern single-family houses, exploring how architecture, nature, and human habitation can co-exist without boundaries.

Form, Structure, and Materials

The building footprint combines the heated living spaces with intimate private outdoor courtyards, forming a single unified volume. A concrete grid of piers, topped with a ring beam, frames the house and defines a clear boundary while maintaining openness to its surroundings. Instead of traditional fencing, a moat at the front of the plot creates a subtle transition between public and private spaces.

The facades parallel the plot boundaries and feature a dynamic combination of masonry, wooden cladding, and glass. To optimize energy performance, the south-facing facade incorporates partial wooden coverings to reduce overheating. Large glazing panels and 45°-angled walls maximize natural light, cross-ventilation, and panoramic views of the surrounding greenery.

Interior Layout and Spatial Experience

The interior of House hkZ is designed to support lifelong living, with all essential spaces — living areas, kitchen, storage, sanitary facilities, and the main bedroom — arranged on the ground floor. Children’s bedrooms are strategically placed semi-underground, opening onto the garden and benefiting from the home’s natural thermal gradient to enhance energy efficiency.

A central theme of the project is the interplay between indoors and outdoors. The architects introduce “outdoor rooms” that fold inward, blurring the physical and visual boundaries between architecture and landscape. The open-plan dining and living areas, accentuated by exposed wooden beams, create a warm and minimal aesthetic while maintaining a strong connection with nature.

Landscape and Environmental Integration

Minimal interventions were made to the garden topography, ensuring the site’s natural relief and character remain intact. Permeable surfaces were chosen for pathways and parking lanes to enhance water management and soil health, reflecting the architects’ ethos of low-impact design.

All Photographs are works of Stijn Bollaert