architecten de vylder vinck taillieu: house BM

set within a forest clearing in ghent, belgium, the ‘house BM’ by belgian practice architecten de vylder vinck taillieu connects with the surrounding nature through each of its facets. gently lifted above the ground with a foundation on wells, the structure allows the wooded environment and tree roots to pass unaffected beneath the floor plate. the circular floor plan is arranged around a central courtyard which wraps around a cluster of existing mature trees. bordered with 18 windows comprised of large glass panels, the exterior environment is woven into the internal experience, maintaining views from all rooms within the dwelling.

exterior
image © filip dujardin (also main image)

the concrete floor and roof slabs are connected with intermittent concrete partitions which divide the internal circulation and rooms. the structural elements vary in depth based upon the varied spans, maintaining its thickness near the perimeter of the home and becoming thinner towards the inner ring. left exposed, the raw texture left from the construction formworks become the interior’s main finish. formed with sheets of plywood, external shutters enclosing the facade form an alternating pattern when drawn closed.

the structure is gently lifted above the ground
image © filip dujardin