graux & baeyens architecten clad house in belgium with zig-zagging brick facade

graux & baeyens architecten’s project was built on a charming village road in anzegem, belgium. the plot is situated on the transition from a typical part of a flemish ribbon development to a detached, ‘belle époque’-style architecture, so it was vital that the design could seamlessly link both to create a fluent transition.

the trapezoidal shape of the site forced the architects of graux & baeyens to find a creative solution. they created a semi-open house, which begins very narrowly on the street side and opens up to the back. due to the site’s shape, the house’s side façade became a part of the street scenery by default. because of the narrow, construction-free, garden strip and the proximity to its neighbor, the architects decided to have the side façade staggered in relation to the plot boundary creating an animated, second ‘street façade’. the zig-zagging facade allows the side garden to be developed into a habitable space, instead of just a driveway.

the house was designed as three intersecting square-plan volumes with varying roof heights and clad in multi-colored bricks. the rectangular spaces hold functions such as an office, kitchen and living room, which are are connected at their corners. this creates an interesting mutual relationship between the attached areas, accentuated by the concrete beams that support the upper level and roof.

playing with the notion that both the front and side facade face the street, the architects used it as an opportunity to add volume to the two-dimensional ribbon development. at the same time, their design establishes a dialogue with the adjacent villa, bringing a new aesthetic to the neighborhood.

project info:

architecture & interior design: graux & baeyens architecten

photography: jeroen verrecht

function: private house 

location: anzegem, belgium 

design & construction year: 2013-2017 

square meters: 241 m² 

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edited by: cristina gomez | designboom