51N4E: vault room

'vault room' by 51N4E architects, bruges, brussels
images courtesy of 51N4E architects / © åke lindman


brussels based practice 51N4E has created 'vault room', a row house refurbishment in bruges, belgium.
positioned along the reien in the historical center of the city, the design looks to reinterpret the typical
cramped back garden as a spacious continuation of the existing vernacular structure.



dining room extension


the double height space, entirely covered in timber planks, starts off as an arch which gradually lifts
asymmetrically towards to back, framing the tall tree of a neighboring garden. an organic, bulbous shaped
opening cuts through the ceiling, drawing natural light into the contemporary but cavernous space.
paradox to the neutral original interior, the extension is composed of warm natural wood that encircles the
user and visually expands the volume.



entrance from existing home to new dining room extension


the old house was almost entirely renovated to highlight characteristic components of the original design
such as exposed beams, washed plank floors and a worn staircase. an integrated kitchen doubles as a work space,
becoming the new center of the home and a gathering point which merges the new and the old.



kitchen in existing home with window looking into new dining room




facade



site plan



floor plan / level 0



floor plan / level 1



floor plan / level 2


sections



diagram of contextual environment



diagram of structural membranes