House with Writing Shed by Atelier Tom Vanhee: Innovative Residential Design in Ghent, Belgium

Located in the charming city of Ghent, Belgium, the House with Writing Shed by renowned architectural firm Atelier Tom Vanhee is a stunning example of modern residential design thoughtfully integrated into its urban context. Completed in 2020, this unique 195-square-meter home showcases a meticulous balance between functionality, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal, making it an inspiring case study for contemporary rowhouse architecture.

Architectural Concept and Design Inspiration

The architectural concept for this house is deeply influenced by the staggered layouts typical of the surrounding street’s existing buildings. The design cleverly arranges the home’s three main volumes in a distinctive herringbone pattern. This arrangement not only reflects the rhythm of neighboring constructions but also enhances spatial fluidity within the house itself. The volumes are deliberately pushed back successively — the second volume set back relative to the first, and the third volume recessed further — creating a dynamic façade that plays with depth and shadow.

Externally, the home is clad with wooden boards that extend seamlessly over the adjacent blind walls, reinforcing a cohesive, natural look. The wood cladding is complemented by crepie (crep cladding) and diamond-shaped slate roofing, materials that evoke traditional rowhouse aesthetics while adding modern durability and texture. This material palette extends to the separate writing shed nestled at the garden's rear, offering a serene, dedicated creative space for the owner.

Interior Spatial Arrangement and Features

Inside, the house’s layout is designed to maximize openness and connection. The living area spans across the volumes, gaining an enhanced sense of spatiality through the inclusion of a raised bedroom for the parents, which overlooks the main living zones below. Large windows punctuate the wooden façade, flooding the interior with natural light and creating strong visual links to the outdoors.

The writing shed, a standout feature of the project, is more than just an ancillary structure—it is a functional retreat that supports the creative work of the owner. Positioned in the garden, this shed offers privacy and inspiration, perfectly harmonizing with the overall architectural narrative of rhythm and material integrity.

Sustainable Design and Material Choices

Sustainability is at the core of this project. The architects selected materials after careful consideration of their life cycle analysis scores, ensuring that every component contributes to reducing the home’s environmental footprint. The house incorporates solar panels for clean energy production and features an underfloor heating system optimized for low-temperature operation, maximizing energy efficiency and occupant comfort.

Technical Collaboration and Construction

The project benefitted from expert collaboration with specialists such as Francis Delacroix, who provided lime engineering services to ensure structural stability while maintaining eco-friendly construction principles. High-quality manufacturers like Schluter, AG Plastics, Cedral, Knauf, MORTEX, Promat, Recticel, Resitrix, STO Crepe, Stone, VMZINC, and Velux contributed materials and components essential for the home’s performance and aesthetic.

Why House with Writing Shed is a Benchmark in Modern Residential Architecture

This house represents a sophisticated dialogue between tradition and modernity, integrating a classic rowhouse typology with innovative spatial design and sustainable technology. Atelier Tom Vanhee’s architectural approach not only respects the existing urban fabric of Ghent but also pushes forward the possibilities of residential architecture by offering functional creativity spaces and environmentally conscious living.

All Photographs are works of Ellen Goegebuer