VILLAMA: Contemporary Brick House in Belgium by maa_architecture studio

VILLAMA, designed by maa_architecture studio, is a contemporary brick house in Belgium that reinterprets traditional architectural principles while embracing modern living. Located in Ohain, within the municipality of Lasne, the project demonstrates how heritage-driven urban planning guidelines can coexist with innovative residential architecture.

Context and Urban Planning Influence

Lasne’s urban planning regulations strongly emphasize preserving the rural and traditional architectural identity of the region. This meant the design had to comply with strict requirements such as pitched roofs, brick façades, and simple volumes. Rather than seeing these limitations as restrictive, maa_architecture studio approached them as an opportunity to rediscover the timeless logic behind vernacular Belgian architecture.

Balancing Tradition and Modernity

While the project follows a traditional material palette, it integrates contemporary methods of construction and design. The architects sought to create a modern Belgian home that meets today’s spatial and technological needs while still aligning with the municipality’s architectural spirit.

The house’s overall composition respects local heritage principles: a hierarchy of forms, clarity of volumes, and discreet yet elegant detailing. At the same time, modern interior spaces are fluid, open, and filled with natural light, reflecting present-day lifestyles.

Architectural Design and Materiality

The residence covers 320 m² and is built primarily with brick, reinforcing its connection to traditional Belgian architecture. The material choice, alongside sloped tiled roofing and natural finishes, establishes a dialogue with its rural surroundings.

Internally, the design embraces warmth and simplicity. Wooden finishes, custom carpentry by Rive Gauche, and carefully curated lighting by Wever & Ducre enhance the sense of comfort while providing sophistication to each living area.

Learning from Traditional Architecture

The architects highlight how traditional building methods reveal deep architectural intelligence: restraint, simplicity, and ingenuity. By respecting these principles, VILLAMA avoids nostalgia and instead demonstrates that heritage-driven design can inspire contemporary Belgian architecture without losing creativity or innovation.

VILLAMA is more than a house—it is an architectural statement about the harmony between past and present. By reinterpreting traditional forms and materials with modern design sensibilities, maa_architecture studio created a timeless brick house in Belgium that reflects both cultural continuity and contemporary aspirations.

All Photographs are works of Oana Crainic, CaroLine Dethier