House wsT by BLAF Architecten: A Sustainable Brick Prototype Reimagining Flemish Residential Design

Nestled on a hill in Sint-Katherina-Lombeek, near the Ternat station in Belgium, House wsT by BLAF Architecten exemplifies experimental, sustainable residential architecture rooted in material innovation and contextual design. This 232 m² residence is part of a larger architectural research initiative that questions conventional building methods in response to contemporary energy regulations and circular construction principles.

Since the introduction of energy performance standards (EPB) in 2006, wall insulation has significantly increased, leading many architects to adopt lightweight and cost-effective façade solutions. However, BLAF saw early on the risks in this shift, particularly the environmental cost of multilayer glued façades, which compromise circularity and material reuse at a building’s end-of-life.

To address these issues, House wsT becomes a critical prototype—part of a trilogy (alongside btL and tmEK)—exploring the first iteration of the BLAF Big Brick 1.0, a custom-made, self-supporting brick developed in collaboration with Wienerberger. Instead of relying on glued-on brick veneers, this project reclaims the tectonic expression of traditional brick masonry while innovating in both form and construction logic.

A Geometry Rooted in Site and Typology

The triangular floor plan of House wsT responds precisely to its urban context: the façade aligns with the street and neighboring buildings, while its angled side walls mirror the site’s 120° oblique boundaries. Between these "tip façades," a sloped roof connects the three corners, resulting in a distinctive compact triangular volume that integrates seamlessly with its surroundings.

This geometry isn’t merely sculptural—it’s structural. The house is built with a three-story wooden skeleton, where each floor rotates around a different bearing axis. This timber frame acts as the load-bearing core, while the freestanding brick envelope ensures thermal and structural performance. The open-plan interiors, supported by a prefab column-and-beam system using mortise and tenon joints, create flexible living spaces that are both modern and rooted in pre-industrial craft traditions.

High Performance Meets Low Tech

The innovative hybrid construction system—a timber interior and brick exterior—achieves superior energy performance. The thick, insulated wooden walls are paired with the BLAF Big Brick 1.0 façade to form a breathable yet efficient building envelope. This passive, low-tech system limits the house’s energy demand, which is further supported by a compact, efficient Pichler ventilation unit.

BLAF Architecten's vision for House wsT is not just about building better houses—it's about building smarter, more resilient systems that respect the environment, use materials intelligently, and reintroduce tactile, tectonic expressions in architecture.

All Photographs are works of Stijn Bollaert