Pachtwoning House by jo taillieu architecten

 Architect: jo taillieu architecten 

A Sensitive Renovation at the Edge of a Historic Monastery

Located on the grounds of the former Wivina Monastery in Groot-Bijgaarden, Pachtwoning House by jo taillieu architecten represents a delicate architectural intervention within a protected heritage site. Nestled against the outer wall of the monastery garden, the project transforms a neglected tenant farmhouse into a serene contemporary residence—one that honors history while embracing subtle modern gestures.

Preserving History with Minimal Intervention

The original structure, a single-story dwelling with a gable roof and modest outbuildings, was in a state of disrepair. The design team approached the renovation with restraint and respect for the historical context. The four existing masonry walls were carefully preserved and restored, maintaining the character of the original tenant house. A private entrance pavilion, previously providing discreet access through the monastery wall, was also maintained and tactfully updated.

The renovation forms part of a protected heritage ensemble, making it essential that the alterations remained almost invisible to public observers. The resulting architecture is a study in balance: new spatial possibilities were introduced without disturbing the integrity of the past.

Reorganizing the House Through a Strategic Roof Shift

One of the most striking yet subtle design interventions was the repositioning of the gable roof. Rather than adding to the volume, one end of the roof was shifted beyond the original building envelope. This smart move created an internal patio—a buffer that introduces privacy between the house and the public monastery garden while also redefining the dwelling’s relationship with the surrounding landscape.

The internal organization of the home flows from this gesture. The old exterior wall becomes a defining interior partition, separating functional spaces like the kitchen and living room on the ground floor. The new roof structure, built from cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels, introduces warmth and material clarity, while its diagonally placed roof tiles reflect the structural shift, subtly signaling the transformation to those who look closely.

Material Dialogue and the Language of Continuity

Throughout the project, the architects employed a refined material palette to bridge old and new. The outbuildings and entrance pavilion were rebuilt using yellow bricks, chosen to echo the existing materiality while remaining distinguishable upon close inspection. These careful insertions avoid any sense of pastiche, instead embodying a contemporary take on vernacular craftsmanship.

From a distance, the gabled silhouette remains unchanged. The architectural "gesture" that redefined the building’s function and spatial dynamics remains discreet, visible only in its atmospheric effect and intelligent reordering of volumes.

A Contemporary Take on Belgian Heritage Architecture

Pachtwoning House exemplifies a minimal yet transformative approach to adaptive reuse. Rather than imposing a new architectural language, jo taillieu architecten focused on quiet continuity, using subtraction and repositioning as tools for spatial and emotional clarity. The result is a home that speaks softly—yet resonates powerfully—with the layered history of its site.

All photographs are works of  Filip Dujardin