Patio House Vijver by BOT Architektuurcollectief: A Sustainable Transformation in Diepenbeek, Belgium

Revitalizing a 1970s Split-Level Home

BOT Architektuurcollectief has reimagined a 1970s split-level house in Diepenbeek, Belgium, transforming it into a contemporary, light-filled residence with a deep connection to its natural surroundings. Originally characterized by a square floor plan, dark interiors, and limited engagement with the expansive garden, the home has been redesigned to embrace open space, daylight, and sustainability.

Seamless Integration with Nature

Situated on a corner plot at the edge of a Flemish residential neighborhood near the De Dijken nature reserve, the residence benefits from its proximity to the Stiemerbeek and Kaatsbeek rivers. To maintain the openness of the landscape and neighborhood, the architects minimized the building’s footprint, utilizing strategic interventions to maximize spatial quality.

A Functional and Adaptable Layout

The renovation preserves the home’s original split-level structure, which includes a basement, a double-height living space, a sleeping level, and a mezzanine that can serve as a flexible multipurpose room or an additional bedroom. The previously dark central core, once occupied by a closed-off kitchen, has been repurposed into a green patio. This transformation enhances ventilation, introduces natural light, and fosters a unique spatial relationship between the bathroom and living room, which now enjoys dual orientations.

A striking architectural feature is the central stairwell, which is accentuated by a towering volume crowned with a circular skylight. This design element amplifies the sense of openness while enhancing vertical circulation.

Balancing Privacy and Openness

Expansive west-facing windows establish a strong connection with the garden, while the other façades maintain a more enclosed design to ensure privacy and reduce heat gain. The house’s material palette is both warm and robust, featuring locally sourced Veldoven bricks, natural wood, exposed concrete, and zinc cladding. These materials not only lend a timeless aesthetic but also emphasize the project’s commitment to sustainability.

The field oven bricks, sourced just 15 kilometers away in Hoeselt, are a key element of the design, reappearing inside the home as freestanding partitions and circular inner walls. Additionally, all new interior walls are non-load-bearing, allowing for future modifications to accommodate changing needs.

A Future-Ready, Sustainable Home

By incorporating flexible design strategies, energy-efficient interventions, and locally produced materials, Patio House Vijver exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to circular architecture. This project seamlessly blends past and present, proving that thoughtful renovation can breathe new life into outdated structures while promoting sustainability.

All Photographs are works of Jeroen Verrecht